Simon Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Simon Hepworth Nicholson (3 October 1934 - 17 January 1990) was the son of artist Ben Nicholson
and his second wife, sculptor Barbara Hepworth
who later became an artist himself.
Four years after Simon and his twin sisters Sarah and Rachel were born, their parents married. Nicholson attended Dartington Hall School before studying sculpture at the Royal College of Art
from 1953 to 1954 and then archaeology
and anthropology
at Trinity College, Cambridge
from 1954 to 1957. Like his parents, Nicholson lived and worked in St Ives from 1960 to 1964.
He moved to the USA in 1964 to teach, firstly at the Moore College of Art and Design
, Philadelphia and then at the University of Berkeley, California
. During this time he had solo exhibitions in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Simon returned to England in 1971 and was an Open University
(OU) lecturer until 1989. He became chairman of the Art and Environment course at the OU, which developed into a popular practical arts module (TAD292). The associated week long summer school achieved some notoriety.
His work is characterised by an interest in the texture of different surfaces and materials, often taking the landscape as its starting point.
After his death, a retrospective
exhibition at Falmouth College of Arts and Dartington Hall
was held in 1999.
In addition to Simon and his parents, the Nicholson family also produced three other artists, his grandfather William Nicholson
, aunt Nancy Nicholson
and half-sister Kate Nicholson
.
Ben Nicholson
Benjamin Lauder "Ben" Nicholson, OM was a British painter of abstract compositions , landscape and still-life.-Background and Training:...
and his second wife, sculptor Barbara Hepworth
Barbara Hepworth
Dame Barbara Hepworth DBE was an English sculptor. Her work exemplifies Modernism, and with such contemporaries as Ivon Hitchens, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson, Naum Gabo she helped to develop modern art in Britain.-Life and work:Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth was born on 10 January 1903 in Wakefield,...
who later became an artist himself.
Four years after Simon and his twin sisters Sarah and Rachel were born, their parents married. Nicholson attended Dartington Hall School before studying sculpture at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
from 1953 to 1954 and then archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
from 1954 to 1957. Like his parents, Nicholson lived and worked in St Ives from 1960 to 1964.
He moved to the USA in 1964 to teach, firstly at the Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art & Design educates students for careers in the visual arts. Moore is an independent college of art and design. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Moore is the first and only women's visual arts college in the nation, and one of only two in the world...
, Philadelphia and then at the University of Berkeley, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. During this time he had solo exhibitions in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Simon returned to England in 1971 and was an Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
(OU) lecturer until 1989. He became chairman of the Art and Environment course at the OU, which developed into a popular practical arts module (TAD292). The associated week long summer school achieved some notoriety.
His work is characterised by an interest in the texture of different surfaces and materials, often taking the landscape as its starting point.
After his death, a retrospective
Retrospective
Retrospective generally means to take a look back at events that already have taken place. For example, the term is used in medicine, describing a look back at a patient's medical history or lifestyle.-Music:...
exhibition at Falmouth College of Arts and Dartington Hall
Dartington Hall
The Dartington Hall Trust, near Totnes, Devon, United Kingdom is a charity specialising in the arts, social justice and sustainability.The Trust currently runs 16 charitable programmes, including The Dartington International Summer School and Schumacher Environmental College...
was held in 1999.
In addition to Simon and his parents, the Nicholson family also produced three other artists, his grandfather William Nicholson
William Nicholson (artist)
Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson was an English painter of still-life, landscape and portraits, also known for his work as a wood-engraver, illustrator, author of children's books and designer for the theatre....
, aunt Nancy Nicholson
Nancy Nicholson
Nancy Nicholson was a British painter and fabric designer.Born Annie Mary Pryde Nicholson, she was the only daughter of the artists Sir William Nicholson and Mabel Pryde. She had three brothers, sculptor Ben Nicholson, architect Christopher Nicholson and Anthony, who was killed in action in 1918...
and half-sister Kate Nicholson
Kate Nicholson
Kate Nicholson is the daughter of artist Ben Nicholson and his first wife, artist Winifred Nicholson.Born at Bankshead, Brampton in 1929, Kate Nicholson studied at the Bath College of Art from 1949 to 1954 where she was a pupil of Peter Lanyon, a St Ives artist and friend of her father and...
.