Nick Smith

Contemporary artist Nick Smith created his first pixelated collage from a challenge. He speaks to us about how his process has evolved over time, what inspires him and his advice for aspiring artists—illustrated with artworks from Hot Off The Press on 1 May and works previously sold at Bonhams.

I explore the relationships between colour and word through pixelated collages. Up close, my work is abstract in nature. Yet from a distance, it transforms into a distinct, coherent image. Beneath each colour chip lies a single word, introducing additional depth, playing with word colour association, or linking formative texts to the image.

My first pixelated collage started from a challenge. Before diving into the art world, my background was in design. Colour swatches were a staple for referencing hues—I found them aesthetically pleasing and often kept a small jar of them on my desk. Occasionally, I’d tip the jar over and start arranging these swatches into patterns, simple shapes, and rudimentary images, purely for the joy of it.

This playful pastime took a more focused direction when a colleague challenged me to construct Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol using this method. I accepted and embarked on what would become my first pixelated collage.

I’m inspired by pop culture, art history, iconic branding, colour and pretty things. My aim is to maintain a lively interaction with the audience, merging fine art with elements of popular culture.

My process starts with selecting a theme or idea that inspires me, driven by nostalgia, passion, or curiosity. In my early work, I recreated modern masters like Warhol’s Marilyn or René Magritte’s Son of Man, while the text under each chip was more colour association—a process I refer to as Psycolourgy. Now, I juggle subject matter—religion and mass consumerism, turn-of-the-century painters and authors—and how I could marry images and text together to enhance one another.

After deciding on a theme, I collate related images, researching and, where possible, visiting museums in person. I then digitise these images, adding original text or passages from various historical or biographical sources, playing with how these texts affect how we interpret the images—I’m fascinated with how the text that we read affects what we see, and how we consume the images we are confronted with. Then the completed work is printed onto adhesive paper and meticulously sliced and collaged onto paper or board.

My first sale with Bonhams—Simpson's Couch in the Pop X Culture auction in 2021—was filled with excitement and anticipation. It was incredibly thrilling to gain insight into the value of my work within the secondary market, especially through such a renowned auction house. Observing the live auction and watching bids come in was exhilarating, I was on the edge of my seat. The moment the results were confirmed, we celebrated in the studio. It was a memorable and affirming moment for my art and career.

There are three artworks by me in Hot Off The Press auction on 1 May, including two collaged works that I’ve produced with Bonhams in aid of The Trussell Trust. Having attended last year’s Hot Off The Press event, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to take part myself.

The Trussell Trust is a hugely important organisation tackling hunger in the UK and I’ve been a long-time believer in their work: they don’t just keep food banks running, they’re also committed to addressing the root cause, such as advocating for policy changes like ensuring universal credit that can adequately cover essentials—food, travel, and bills—helping those in need to become self-sufficient. I want to raise money but also awareness of their work. This collaboration felt like a perfect fit.

I collect art but it’s quite spontaneous. I often buy pieces impulsively when something unexpected catches my eye and captivates me. That initial moment of falling in love with a piece—deciding to purchase it and then figuring out where it will hang in my space—is exhilarating. I don’t have a specific plan or goal except a belief in good karma: I think it’s important for artists to support each other, especially after a successful show. It’s a way of keeping the artistic cycle vibrant and supportive.

My big annual solo exhibition is opening at RHODES in London in May. I’m in the final preparations for that. Beyond that, I’ve got several projects lined up this year, including one project I’m particularly excited about involving 3D acrylics. I’ll be able to share more details soon... It’s going to be a busy year ahead.

What advice would I give someone at the start of their artistic career? It’s important to carve out your own unique identity in the art world: you want people to see your work and instantly recognise it as yours, whether it’s simple or intricate.

Take Jackson Pollock, for example. He made his mark by splashing paint onto canvases, a method that was unconventional at the time, yet now his work is unmistakable. Yves Klein also made a name for himself by painting canvases in a unique shade of blue.

Your artistic style will naturally evolve and find its own identity over time. Focus on making that identity distinctively yours.

Find out more about Hot Off The Press

The second iteration of Bonhams’ tightly curated auction celebrates some of the most exciting emerging artists working today, alongside the well-established contemporary art market leaders—including David Hockney, Harland Miller and The Connor Brothers.

For enquiries, contact hotoffthepress@bonhams.com