Self-taught Australian artist Nathan Paddison creates raw, emotive paintings in the tradition of art brut, graffiti and abstract expressionism. Drawing inspiration from what he describes as his difficult past, Paddison paints with urgency and physicality, placing dynamic, gestural brushstrokes and ecstatic shapes on his worn and roughly textured surfaces. Scattered scraps of text intermingle with hints of human bodies and natural forms, suggesting interrupted histories, disjointed places, or perhaps a recently abandoned crime scene. Embedded in this drama is a keen sense of humor and a vivid sense of the emotional power of color. Paddison mixes traditional fine art media such as acrylics and pastels with everyday materials such as newsprint and markers to achieve a fresh, energetic and undeniably contemporary visual language.
Nathan Paddison hails from the bustling heart of Sydney, Australia’s western suburb, an area known for its intricate web of gangs. For most of his life, Paddison was deeply entrenched in this turbulent underworld, a journey that led him behind bars. However, in the cold, austere confines of prison, Paddison found an unexpected refuge – the art of painting.
Paddison dedicated two years to honing his artistic skills during his incarceration, a time that not only saw him grapple with the canvas, but also marked the beginning of his transformative journey. After his release, his painting style underwent a profound metamorphosis. The cumulative experience of his twelve-year prison sentence, interwoven with the raw impressions of his gang past, gave his works a unique, compelling voice.
The vicissitudes of Paddison’s unconventional lifestyle fostered a newfound appreciation for the simpler, finer aspects of life, which are vividly reflected in his work. The artist’s brush now moves across the canvas with an untamed freedom that reflects the exhilarating liberation he enjoys after years of confinement. Through his work, Paddison seeks to engage his audience, as his paintings are a poignant testament to his personal journey of redemption and rebirth.
Nathan Paddison was magnetically drawn to the vibrant spectrum of color on his palette and found his true calling amidst streaks of oil and acrylic. The transformation was profound, as if a dormant personality within him had been revived by the artistry of his brushstrokes. When he embarked on this creative journey, Paddison did not simply choose a vocation – he surrendered to an irresistible, innate attraction. The canvas and colors were more than just his medium; they were his means of communication, his way of life and the lens through which he perceived the world.
Paddison’s artistic approach is best characterized as a form of self-expression, even if he himself struggles to articulate its nuances. His technique is not limited to a single style. Rather, he enjoys exploring a variety of stylistic territories, guided by the intimate dialog he maintains with his canvas. This metaphysical connection dictates the necessities of the canvas, from the specific dimensions and orientation to the heartbeat of the image to come. For Nathan Paddison, the blank canvas is not a void to be filled, but a companion that whispers to him the secrets of its final form.
In his studio, Nathan Paddison lives in the midst of what many might perceive as chaos, but which he uniquely transforms into a source of balance. Amidst his tools of the trade, one can discover an unusual array of objects: a fridge of chocolates, a skateboard and even a set of weights. These are not just novelties or random personal items. For Paddison, they are deliberate distractions that he intentionally scatters around his workspace to balance his incessant urge to paint. Paddison admits that his passion for painting could probably produce a million works of art if he could paint them unhindered.
Paddison draws inspiration for his creative work from several luminaries in the art world. Four names stand out in his pantheon of artistic influences: Willem de Kooning, Cy Twombly, Jean Michel Basquiat and Joan Mitchell. Each of these iconic artists, with their distinctive style and creative narratives, has significantly shaped the way Paddison approaches his craft.
In Paddison’s extensive body of work, one piece holds a very special place in his heart and in his home. Titled “Are Far There’s Love”, this abstract work describes a pivotal moment in the artist’s life: the day he found out he was going to be the father of a daughter. Infused with deep personal emotion, the painting serves as a tangible representation of Paddison’s journey, not only as an artist but also as a father, bridging the gap between his personal and professional spheres.
Nathan Paddison primarily uses acrylic paints, as they dry quickly and allow him to paint very productively. Although he can work on up to ten canvases at the same time, he usually concentrates on three or four works at a time. The artist does not use oil paint as he does not have the space for it to dry properly. Paddison would like to venture into oil painting in the future as soon as he has a sufficiently large studio. In his artistic practice, Paddison ventures beyond acrylic paint and uses a variety of mediums, including oil, pencils, acrylic, spray paint, charcoal, pencil, collage, wax crayon and marker. A steadfast advocate of artistic exploration, he eagerly embraces new mediums and is always trying to push the boundaries of his creative expression.
Nathan Paddison has two clear visions for future exhibitions that reflect his aspirations. Firstly, he envisions a collaborative exhibition with his daughter to take place once she has gained the ability to draw and paint properly at the age of four or five. This planned series would represent a heartfelt fusion of their artistic abilities. Secondly, Paddison longs to curate an exhibition reminiscent of the magical world of Alice in Wonderland. This captivating exhibition will feature a surreal environment adorned with synthetic grass, oversized mushrooms and a plethora of strange objects. With these ambitious projects, Paddison aims to create immersive experiences that captivate the viewer and transport them into a realm of fantasy and wonder.
An artwork by Jordy Kerwick sold for £85,000 at Phillips in London on March 4, 2022, after an estimate of £6,000. Both artists are from Australia and are self-taught. The Recent auction record for Nathan Paddison is US$ 12,800 for the painting “Ease Ear Thai Gore” achieved at Ravenel Auction House in Taipei, Taiwan in december 2021. It was surpassed in Spring 2022 also at Ravenel Auctions with USD 16,338 for one of the Tiger Paintings.
Nathan Paddison, born 1983, is an artist whose works are all based on a sense of fun, self-expression and being himself without fear. He portrays subjects from his past, including his struggle with addiction, as well as pets and animals in his life. Paddison emphasizes color and energy, allowing the canvas to determine where the painting goes. He paints primarily with acrylics, but also uses enamels, pastels, markers, inks, oils, oil pencils.
Nathan Paddison’s journey as an artist is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite only starting to paint four years ago, he has already made a significant impact on the contemporary art scene. In the last two years, as he developed his unique and dynamic style, Paddison has sold over 350 artworks, a testament to his growing influence and popularity.
Recently, Paddison’s work received further recognition when he won the People’s Choice award in the prestigious Kilgour Prize, organized by Newcastle Art Gallery. Due to COVID-19, the gallery was closed during the exhibition, so voting was conducted online. Paddison’s winning piece, Flour Sail, is a self-portrait that reflects challenging times, with the flowers in the painting symbolizing anything he could find to make ends meet, even “a droopy flower,” as he explains in his artist statement.
While the People’s Choice award comes with a $5,000 prize, Paddison is clear that the recognition means more to him than the money. “Winning is more important than the money,” he says. “I didn’t care about the money.”
Today Paddison works from a garage in Tinonee, a small town near Taree, having gradually moved north from his original home in Sydney. His relocation to the quieter Manning River area seems to be part of his desire to focus on his art, away from the distractions of city life. “I think it’s an escape thing,” he reflects. “Up here I am by myself. I focus on my art. I’ve got a girlfriend and kids and art. I go to the gym. And work from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m. I usually work until midnight. If something is going on, I can’t stop… sometimes I have to stick with it.”
Paddison’s drive is remarkable. He often completes a painting a day and sometimes works on three canvases simultaneously. While this might seem like an effort to make up for lost time, it’s simply the way he operates. “I’ve always painted a lot,” he says. “I just love it. I just can’t stay away from it.”
Before his artistic career took off, Paddison was a personal trainer with a strong focus on Muay Thai boxing. His transition to art started with works on paper, gradually moving to acrylic on canvas. Over time, he has refined his techniques, opting to buy large rolls of canvas rather than pre-stretched frames for easier shipping and mixing his paints in tubs to maintain consistency in his colors.
Paddison’s vibrant, kinetic style is entirely self-taught. Early in his career, he received advice from Kerry Armstrong of Studio Gallery to avoid studying other artists, in order to preserve the uniqueness of his style. “I was told early on not to look at any artists,” he recalls. “My style is so unique, stay with it.”
With prices for his works ranging from $2,000 to $15,000, and with representation that brings his art to audiences in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, Paddison is clearly on a successful path. His creative process is deeply personal and instinctive, as he explains: “It spills straight from my mind onto the canvas. I love it. I can’t stop painting. It’s part of me.”
Even when he’s away from his studio, Paddison continues to nurture his ideas, jotting down thoughts and images. But when he returns to his workspace, he starts fresh, often beginning with a grey base followed by layers of white, which helps him determine the direction of the piece. “As long as I start getting paint on there… it flows from there,” he says.
Though he only recently began experimenting with abstract art, Paddison’s primary focus has been on figurative and animal images. His style has evolved to embrace greater expression and freedom in his strokes and lines. His work resonates not just with art lovers but also with the broader art community. This year, he has been a finalist in the Lester Prize in Western Australia, the Naked & Nude Art Prize at the Manning Regional Art Gallery, and, of course, the Kilgour Prize.
Paddison’s passion, dedication, and unique style continue to propel him forward, making him a rising star in the contemporary art world.
Nathan’s strong line and approach to palette meld closely with the physicality and urgency in which he works. The impatience and powerful language forming in Nathan’s work is akin to compulsion rather than task. FRANK FLUEGEL GALLERY has his works since 2021 for sale.
Exhibitions:
- Art from the inside, 2019, group show
- Flourish 2019 group exhibition
- Naked&Nude 2019, manning valley regional gallery, finalists exhibition
- Sunset gallery solo exhibition, august 2019
- Humble House Gallery Canberra, Solo exhibition. November/December 2020
- Gosford regional gallery (group/finalists exhibition)
- Studio Gallery group exhibition Sydney 2020
- Kangaroo Valley exhibition 2020, finalists exhibition
- Studio Gallery Melbourne 2020
- Studio Gallery group exhibition Melbourne 2021
- Incognito Art Show 2021
- Studio Gallery Sydney 2021
- Studio Gallery Cheltenham 2021
- Solo exhibition 2021 space cowboy gallery – 2021
- Naked&nude 2021 Manning Regional
- Studio Gallery Sydney 2021
- The Kilgour Prize 2021 Art Gallery of Newcastle
- The Lester Prize Art Gallery of Western Australia 2021 (October now)
- Fresh paint art fair, Tell Aviv 2021 (now)
- Save the animals. National museum Taiwan, (October 25th – nov 1,2021
- Gloucester regional Gallery, solo 2022,January.
- Morton contemporary,Philadelphia USA, solo 2022. May
- Nathan Paddison: X Paddison ,Atelier Aki ,Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 2024 To be announced.
Competitions
- Art from the inside 2019, winner
- Flourish Art exhibition 2019, highly commended
- Naked&Nude 2019, finalist
- Bricklane Gallery Open Call (London) – finalist 2020
- Gosford Art Prize – 2020
- Kangaroo Valley art prize – 2020
- Circle arts open call Paris, France – honourable mention 2020
- ArtAscent animal art 2020 -finalist
- FusionArt New York 2021 – finalist
- Naked&nude 2021 – finalist
- The Kilgour Prize 2021 – finalist
- The Lester Prize – 2021 – current finalist
- The Kilgour Prize – 2021 – people’s choice winner
Featured in:
- ArtEdit magazine autumn catalogue
- The block (tv show) room reveals
- Artlovers 2020 book
- ArtWalk Port Macquarie 2020
- ArtAscent volume 46 December 2020
- Artlovers Home Design Magazine 1st edition 2020
- ArtEdit March 2021
- Grand Designs Australia March 2021
- Spotlight lookbook, Paris March 2021
- Newcastle Herald (newspaper) , October 16, people’s choice article.
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