Overview
Karen Nicol
Shoelace Cat, 2012

Karen Nicol is a mixed-media and embroidery artist and designer from Britain, who works from her London-based studio.

Since 2010 Karen has worked as an artist, making her embroidered and sculptured animals, specially created creatures with bespoke, haute couture materials ranging from Napoleonic polar bears to jewel encrusted deer and fringed and sequined zebras. Most of the materials she uses come from car boots and flea markets, and she uses a 50-year-old Singer sewing machine. As she has worked with so many creative minds throughout the years, on commissions and collaborations with the likes of Clements Ribeiro who asked for a "Frida Kahlo meets Singapore whorehouse" collection, she truly lets her imagination run wild.

 

Karen Nicol's mother and sister were both embroiderers, and even though Karen wanted to study Fine Arts, she found that nothing beat the diversity of textiles and went to the Royal College of Arts for a Masters in embroidery. For many years she has created fashion textiles for prestigious fashion brands, from Alexander McQueen to Chanel and Givenchy and has counted clients such as the King of Qatar or the Pope himself!

Works
Exhibitions
Biography
Feature Film, 2015
Feature Film, 2015

Based in London, Karen Nicol is now a honorary fellow at the RCA, and has been a visiting professor for twenty years. She was made Royal Designer for Industry by the RSA in 2015 and has exhibited her work in solo shows and fairs accross the world.

SOLO & GROUP SHOWS

 

2021

AAF New York Fall
AAF Bruxelles

 

2019

Collections de design d'intérieur pour Katharine Pooley
Collection de design pour Saga Furs, Danemark
Collaboration de sièges rembourrés avec Lee Lapthorne pour le centre Shakespeare, Stratford
Collaboration Intérieurs avec Sandra Murray MBE
Robe de mariée avec Giles Deacon
Commission de robe de mariée Eleanor Hill
Kimono conçu et brodé pour le film « Louis Wain »
Œuvres sélectionnées pour être exposées au i.d.e.a Museum, Arizona, USA
Artiste en résidence, Université De Montfort, Royaume-Uni

 

2018

Art Market Hamptons
AAF New York

2 pièces de mode pour Schiaparelli Paris
Conception de la couverture du livre pour l'édition anniversaire de Little Women
Collection de design pour fils rares
Pièces de mode pour Bruce Oldfield
Pièces d'intérieur pour Pottery Barn, USA
Pièce de mode pour Sandra Murray MBE
Designs pour Jasper Conran
Veste pour le film «All is true»
Serviettes brodées sur mesure pour Estee Lauder
Serviettes brodées sur mesure pour Love Shack
Commission de robe de mariée, client privé, Royaume-Uni
Foires d’art avec la galerie Envie d’art
Artiste en résidence, Université De Montfort, Royaume-Uni


2017
Fashion pieces for Jasper Conran

AAF London
AAF Hong kong
Context art New York

K+Y Gallery, Paris


2016

World map large scale art commission, Black Rock investment bank, Hong Kong

Europe map large scale art commission, Black Rock investment bank, Paris

Solo Show Cricket Fine Art, London

Wit Gallery, Massachusetts

Ruthin Gallery, Wales
Fashion pieces for Alexander McQueen and Jasper Conran
Interior works for Katherine Pooley

 

2015

Bull Market and Bear Market art commission, Black Rock investment bank, Copenhagen

Art Pieces for Lidewij Edelkoort Fetishism show, Trapholt museum, Denmark

 

2014

Solo Show Rebecca Hossack gallery, "The Edge of the Woods", New York

Royal Academy summer show, London

Art Fairs : Melbourne, Hamptons, New york, London

 

2013

Art pieces for Lidewij Edelkoort Fashion Fetishism Biennale, Holland

Solo show Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London

Lapada Art and Antiques Fair, London

Art Fairs : Melbourne, Hong Kong, Paris

 

2012

Solo show, Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, New York

Solo show, Marylebone Hotel, London

Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London

Lapada Art and Antiques Fair, London

Decorex International, London

Art Fairs : London, Melbourne, Hamptons

 

2011

Exhibition "Lovelace", Power House Museum, Sydney

Grayson Perry doll with Liberty London

London Art Fair

AAF London

AAF New York

AAF Singapore

Art London

Art Melbourne

Art Toronto

 

2010

Solo Show, Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London

Sydney Art Fair

Art London