The world of fine Art is something that has always escaped my interest through a complete lack of understanding of how to appreciate it. Somehow it seems far removed from the multi sensory life in which I live. Yet I was recently approached by upcoming artist Nadine Collinson to be the subject of an artistic photo shoot for a forthcoming exhibition in Winchester. Being never one to miss a trick, I naturally asked her if I could turn the tables and ask her a few questions about her life and artistic career which she accepted. Nadine was accompanied by the celebrated photographer Michael Butters who, in a career spanning forty years, has captured the great and good from the south coast of England including Dame Esther Rantzen and Alan Titchmarsh to name but a few. Yet this project is definitely not about celebrating the rich and famous. Moreover it’s a platform to celebrate some of the south coast’s unsung heroes in the form of art and photography, all with their own very own story to tell. People from all walks of life have given their time to be the subjects of this very special collection of photographs and I know that both Nadine and Michael are very grateful of everyone’s input.
Press Play, below, to listen to the full interview
In contrast to Michael’s years of experience within the art and photography world, Welsh born Nadine came to her art reasonably late in her career after being a special effects producer working on a handful of pop videos and television commercials during the late eighties and nineties. Nadine’s next career move was far removed from the high pressured world of the film set but into just as a competitive industry as she established herself as a personal trainer. It was here that she became fascinated by the fabric of muscles and the immense power in which muscles function – something which has inspired the body of her artwork and still has the ability to enthral her to this day. Just five years ago her interest in anatomy inspired her to enter the world of Fine Art and now together with Michael, Nadine is preparing to showcase her work to the masses in aid of the Winchester Cathedral charity and the paediatric intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital.
In addition to the exhibition, Nadine and Michael are also publishing a book of all the photographs and stories they’ve collated for this project which will be available to purchase during the exhibition and in bookshops in the Winchester area. Also an online silent auction will take place for the month of April and throughout the exhibition week. For more information please visit please visit www.winchesterportraitexhbition.co.uk
Their upcoming exhibition at The Great Hall at Winchester from 26th April to the 2nd May and for more information about how to visit the exhibition and also to view Nadine’s work please click here. It was great to meet Nadine and Michael and I wish them all the best with the exhibition.
Beyond The Title