BEX NICKLES

Artist Statement

I am a multimedia artist specialising in oil and acrylic landscape painting, with a focus on realism inspired by nature and the local community. Landscape photography plays a key role in my practice, encouraging walks in nature and allowing me to recreate peaceful, memory-rich scenes. While my work typically avoids people and portraits, it often draws on personal stories and symbolism. Mixed media pieces occasionally incorporate other hobbies such as crochet and textiles. Recently, I’ve begun embracing more expressive, less precise techniques—experimenting with clay and mess-making. 



This body of work explores identity and transformation through a series of bug-inspired masks, created in collaboration with visitors to Pontypridd Museum. Participants completed worksheets, choosing insects they felt represented them, and their responses informed each mask’s design, colour palette, and symbolism.

The project stems from my interest in how people view themselves and how that identity can be symbolically expressed. Using insects as metaphors allowed participants to engage playfully and thoughtfully with aspects of their identity. The finished masks are part human, part creature—wearable portraits that celebrate individuality, symbolism, and our connection to the natural world. Crafted using mixed media including clay, sculpting, and hand-built elements, the work reflects the tactile, layered nature of both identity and artistic creation.

Surrounding each mask are descriptive words chosen by the participants, grounding the work in their voices. Visitors are invited to touch material samples that reveal the physical layers behind each piece, offering a deeper connection to the making process.