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This October, Artereal is excited to present Nicole Welch’s first solo exihbition with the gallery. Titled Unveiling the Night, the exhibition will showcase a new series of photographic and video works, filmed in the landscape around the Artist’s home in Hill End, NSW.

“In my exploration of the wild, I use night vision cameras to capture the nocturnal wildlife that inhabits this landscape whil e I sleep. These native and introduced species fascinate me. I am drawn to know them: their routines, instincts, and behaviours shaped by predators — by survival. I’m also drawn to understand the impacts they have on the ecosystem, both beneficial and detrimental.

Navigating the wilderness in Hill End, NSW, I see the landscape as a dynamic stage where each animal enacts a unique role. Through the lens of my camera, these creatures emerge as protagonists in a narrative of interconnectedness, resilience, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature. This journey serves as a metaphor for our evolving relationship with the environment.

Through documenting these animals, I emphasise the importance of coexistence and understanding between humans and wildlife. My hope is that the images evoke in viewers feelings of appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the natural world. My presence in this work is articulated through the considered placement of cameras, representing a deliberately minimal intervention. I engage with the landscape and its fauna delicately, ensuring minimal disturbance. This process involves extensive periods of walking, observing, responding, and methodically curating footage to represent the essence of these animals’ natural behaviours.

Overall, this exploration—capturing wildlife and reflecting internally—echoes broader discourses of humanity’s relationship with nature and underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings. For me, personally, the project marks a period of reflective self-discovery, healing, and transformation, paralleling the resilience observed in nature.”
– Nicole Welch, Artist Statement (2024)

Nicole Welch has an established profile as an Australian artist who has been invited to exhibit nationally and internationally. In 2019, her film Wildēornes Body was selected for the 5th International Motion Festival Cyprus. In 2018, she was a featured artist for ArtState NSW, creating two new works, Transformation and Mementos. Welch’s work has been featured in numerous curated exhibitions across the country, and she has been recognised as a finalist in esteemed awards and competitions including the Blake Prize, the Grace Cossington Smith Art Award, and the National Photography Prize. Welch’s works have been acquired by distinguished institutions such as Artbank, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Murray Art Museum Albury, Parliament House Art Collection Canberra, Macquarie Group, Canberra School of Art Australian National University, Harris Farm Collection, and the National Library of Australia, among others.