Ever since we caught Nancy Cadogan’s solo exhibition at Saatchi Gallery in September, Mind Zero, we’ve been more than a little obsessed with the British figurative painter and her joyous colourful paintings. At a time when we’ve all been confined to our homes, her ability to celebrate the beauty of the everyday – a mug of tea, flowering potted plant – and the interiors we inhabit have never seemed more appropriate or inspiring.
After attending City & Guilds of London Art School and Canterbury Christ Church University from which she graduated with a degree in fine art painting in 2002, Cadogan has held solo shows at Frost & Reed, New York and Sladmore Contemporary, London and been described as “the new Paula Rego” by Tatler magazine. Her bold use of colour – cerulean and blue, magenta and emerald green all feature in Mind Zero – have also seen her works compared to those of David Hockney.
We caught up with her as she joins the roster at Loughran Gallery…
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
She says: “Having the opportunity to spend your life doing what you love. This feels like a huge privilege.”
What inspired your latest work?
“Right now, I am working on a show about the romantic poets.”
Have you continued to create during lockdown?
“Absolutely, I have been working flat out for an exhibition. It has been a really interesting experience – trying not to put too much anxiety from the lockdown into the paintings.”
Which artists would you like to be compared to?
“I think my work is very colour based and is quite inspired by Hockney.”
Has your practice changed over time?
“Definitely. You have to keep trying, keep adapting, keep being brave.”
What’s your favourite time to be in the studio?
“I love being in the studio late at night. Sometimes my kids come in before they go to sleep and have a hot chocolate and then I like it when everyone is asleep and everything is quiet.”
Is it hard to part with your paintings?
“Yes, very. I invest so much time, energy and love into each of these paintings that I really struggle saying goodbye to them. Sometimes I miss them like friends, but if I know that they are making people happy in their new homes then that it is an amazing thing.”
