Conceptual research based visual practitioner

Nicola Lewis-Dixon is a multidisciplinary artist based in Preston, who comes from a predominately photographic background and has completed a photography MA at the University of Central Lancashire and now works at Bolton University as a photography technician.

Lewis-Dixon’s work is autobiographical and considers the social construct of women’s lived experience and shifting identity in today's society. Lewis-Dixon’s approach is research lead, highly expressive and conceptual in her visual output.

Nicola suggests how the creative process acts as a cathartic ritual within her practice, allowing deeper understanding and insight, therefore allowing healing and the ability to put the subjects to rest.

Lewis-Dixon’s work explores and tests multiple methodological processes such as documentary, experimental, alternative darkroom processes, embroidery and most recently multi-sensory installations requiring video and soundscape.

In her most recent work, Nicola takes us on her own healing journey, reclaiming her body following cervical cancer and hysterectomy. Both projects ‘Goosebumps’ and ‘Healing with Nature’ (a working title), are ongoing as they are used therapeutically to rediscover her own broken alienated body and heal.

Lewis-Dixon’s work has been featured in publications and exhibited nationally, and was granted the Lancashire Arts Festival Media Award for Photography. Since Nicola completed her MA she is currently facilitating art workshops and researching for a PhD proposal on reclaiming the body using nature and phototherapy.

Nicola has collaborated with her MA peer to create Photography on Wellbeing CIC, to bring their shared understanding of using photography as healing tool to the general public.Thus, through workshop facilitation and representation within the arts.

Education

2009 -2021 | University of Central Lancashire - Masters - Photography

2016 - 2019 | University of Central Lancashire - Degree - Photography

2014 - 2016 | Myerscough College - Btec Level 3 - Photography

Selected Achievements

Exhibitions:

2022 | [Group Exhibition] - The Open Eye Gallery - Liverpool - Ecology of Care

2022 | [Group Exhibition] - The New Forest Heritage Centre - Hampshire

2022 | [Group Exhibition] - The Grundy Art Gallery - Blackpool

2021 | [Curator and exhibitor] - Group exhibition - PR1 Gallery - Preston

2021 | [Group Exhibition] - PR1 Gallery - Preston

2021 | [Group Exhibition] - Ancoats Gallery, Manchester (Exhibition cancelled due to Covid), Instagram Takeover instead.

2018 | [Group Exhibition] - The Hatter, Preston

2017 | [Group Exhibition] - The Harris Museum

2017 | [Group Exhibition] - Oxheys Mill Gallery

Publications:

2021 | [Digital publication] - Work Show Grow - Out Loud

2021 | [Digital publication] - Mnngful Stories

2021 | [Digital exhibition] - The Mother Project: Life in Lockdown

2020 | [Group Exhibition & Publication] - Photo Culture Showcase Zine, Preston Photo Culture (Exhibition cancelled due to Covid)

2019 | [Publication feature] - Bokeh, Women in Photography

2018 | [Publication feature] - NORTH Volume IV

2018 | [Solo Publication] - Broadsheet newspaper - The Maze Community

2017 | [Publication Feature] - Further North

2017 | [Publication feature] - Lancashire Life

Awards:

2019 | [Award] - Lancashire Arts Festival Media Award for Photography, Creative Lancashire & University of Central Lancashire

Talks:

2023 | [Guest Speaker] - Bolton University - An Autoethnographic Journey of Health

2022 | [Guest Speaker] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing', The Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool - Ecology of Care

2022 | [Guest speaker] - Work Show Grow - Artist Talk Salon 12, Cathartic Photography Practice

2022 | [Peer to Peer] - Arts and Health Hub

2022 | [Peer to Peer] - Red Eye - Discussion of Goosebumps

2022 | [Guest speaker] - Blind Spot - Artist talk - Goosebumps

2021 | [Guest Speaker] - MA Photography Lecture - UCLan - Use of life experiences to generate ideas

Workshops:

2022 | [Cyanotype Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing', The Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool - Ecology of Care

2022 | [Connection to land/art Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing' - Photo - Walk - Swim retreat - Wyresdale Estate, Lancashire

2022 | [Residency facilitator] - Work Show Grow - Artist Residency - Photo-Walk-Swim - Devon

2022 | [Contection to land/art Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing' - Photo - Walk - Swim retreat - Devils Bridge - Kirby Lonsdale

2022 | [Cyanotype Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing', The Larder, Preston

2022 | [Contection to land/art Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing' - Photo - Walk - Swim retreat - Loughrigg Tarn - The Lakes

2022 | [Contection to land/art Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing' - Photo - Walk - Swim retreat - High Dam - The Lakes

2022 | [Cyanotype Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing', Make CIC - Liverpool

2021 | [Cyanotype Workshop] - Facilitator 'Photography on Wellbeing', The Larder, Preston

2021 | [Cyanotype Workshop] - Facilitator for 'The Weekender', The Larder, Preston

Art Residencies:

2022 | Work Show Grow - Colehayes Park, Devon UK

Official Collaborations and Training:

2023 | [Training] - Openeye Gallery - Crossing Sectors Program - Socially Engaged Art

2022 | [Collaboration and official training] - Attitude Swim Coaching - safety during water / rural-based workshops

2021 | [Co Founder] - Photography on Wellbeing CIC - Collaboration and socially engaged art

2021 | [Collective] - Became 'The Weekender' art facilitator - Preston City Council

2020 | [Collective] - Became 'Work Show Grow' Member

Upcoming

2023 | [Mentorship] - Arts and Health Hub

2023 | [Training] - Ed Carr - The Sustainable Darkroom

2023 | Practice Based PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University - September Start