PLAYING WITH LIGHT

Artist Nick Botting’s latest exhibition will feature some familiar scenes to the Members of Guards Polo Club

When I look for a subject to paint it can often be the simplest idea that first engages me. It might be the calmness of the river or the sound of the sea. I start to draw as a way of finding out how I might depict it and the thrill of an idea quickly takes me.”

This is a quote from the artist Nick Botting, an esteemed artist whose work is already well known in a variety of sporting locations around the world. There are Botting artworks in the Museum at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, the Football Association Headquarters, Wembley, and Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. In addition, Nick has undertaken commissions for the Duchy of Lancaster, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company and Hatfield House.

Last summer Nick turned his attention - and his brushes – to polo. He became a regular figure on the Lawn at Guards Polo Club throughout several of our key fixtures, capturing not only the action on the field of play, but the many spectators watching the games. Nick’s first experience of polo was some 10 years ago when he painted the Archie David Cup Final and it was wonderful to see him able to add to this area of work in what turned out to be a most glorious summer.

Polo is an ideal subject for the London-based artist as he has an instinctive ability to capture in paint the atmosphere of his subject. Direct experience and careful observation are important themes throughout Nick’s work and are prominent in his wonderful oils of the 2022 season at Guards Polo Club, including the Cartier Queen’s Cup and the Hurlingham Polo Association’s Coronation Cup match.

Nick makes a point of painting directly from the subject, delivering a spontaneity and sense of genuine experience that is often lost in the studio.

Now Members of Guards Polo Club can see Nick’s work for themselves as we are hosting a private view of his latest exhibition exclusively for Club Members. This exhibition will feature a variety of studies from Smith’s Lawn as well as a selection of Nick’s racing images. The Private View will take place at the Portland Gallery, 3 Bennet Street, St James’s , London on Tuesday 25 April from 6pm – 8pm. Members are welcome to reserve or purchase any works in advance of the private view. ✸

For more information on the work of Nick Botting please go to: portlandgallery.com/artists/33-nickbotting/works/