Nick Modrzewski

Nick Modrzewski is a Naarm/Melbourne based artist whose work investigates law and social ritual. Densely layered acrylic paintings form the backbone of Modrzewski’s practice, where he depicts figures enmeshed in legal processes or bureaucratic systems: naked neighbours wrestle over a fencing dispute; a congregation of medieval noses gather to draft legislation; and suited men compete in a plant watering competition. In each of his scenes, Modrzewski picks apart the rules of social engagements, rendering them in a sensuous and fluid painterly language. An abiding interest in narrative, theatre and absurdity define the tone of Modrzewski’s works, which also encompass sculpture, text and performance.

Nick Modrzewski holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Victorian College of the Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne. He has exhibited locally and internationally, including at Discordia (Melbourne); First Draft (Sydney); the Institute of Contemporary Arts (Singapore); Blindside (Melbourne); Fort Delta (Melbourne); KINGS ARI (Melbourne); OH Open House (Singapore); and the Australian High Commission (Singapore). His writing has been published by Running Dog; Art & Australia; Monash University Museum of Art; un Magazine; Writing & Concepts; the Lifted Brow; Fireflies; VRE Books and The Research Handbook on Art and Law. Modrzewski is a board member of West Space.

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Nick Modrzewski in his studio in Melbourne, Australia, 2021

Watering Competition, 2022
acrylic on board
150 x 120 cm / 59 1/16 x 47 1/4 inches
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The Authorities, 2022
acrylic on board
150 x 120 cm / 59 1/16 x 47 1/4 inches
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Outskirt Trails and Night-time Wanderings, 2022
acrylic on board
150 x 120 cm / 59 1/16 x 47 1/4 inches
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The Fencing Dispute, 2022
acrylic on board
71 x 60 cm / 27 15/16 x 23 5/8 inches
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Footnote (Demon poking souls of commandment breakers in a furnace - Bodlein Library MS. Douce 134 f.82v, 2022
acrylic on board
50 x 40 cm / 19 11/16 x 15 3/4 inches
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The Rules of Soccer, 2022
acrylic on board
71 x 60 cm / 27 15/16 x 23 5/8 inches
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Office Apparitions, 2021
acrylic on board
150 x 120 cm / 59 1/16 x 47 1/4 inches
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Cups of Water in the Armless Statue Garden, 2021
acrylic on board
150 x 120 cm / 59 1/16 x 47 1/4 inches
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Enclosure, 2021
acrylic on board
71 x 60 cm / 27 15/16 x 23 5/8 inches
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Garden Keeper, 2021
acrylic and resin on board
35 x 20 cm / 13 11/16 x 7 7/8 inches
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Witch Presentation Stand, 2021
mouldable plastic, resin, polyurethane pigment, e-poxy resin glue
90 x 57 cm / 35 7/16 x 22 7/16 inches
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Armoury, 2021
acrylic on board, powder coated welded steel frame
185 x 151 cm framed / 72 13/16 x 59 7/8 inches framed
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The Face of the Pronounced Accuser, 2021
acrylic on board, powder coated welded steel frame
159 x 146 cm framed / 62 19/32 x 57 15/32 inches framed
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Faces: A Regulatory Guide, 2021
aged book, labels, gold foil, sewn spine
25 x 16 x 8 cm / 9 27 x 32 x 6 9/32 x 3 5/32 inches
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Masks 1-54, 2021
Further details see catalogue
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