Spotlight
Spotlight Contemporary artist Nigel Stefani
Championed by Libby Brodie
Above BUT TO DREAM_ LIMB – Wood; metal; knee support; shoe nails; wooden foot; prosthetic, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
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Above Portrait of Spotlight Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Interview
Nigel Stefani
Interview
Nigel Stefani
After 15 years in theatre – at The Old Vic before heading up her own production company – award-winning producer Libby Brodie swapped the West End for wine, launching her own wine consultancy, Bacchus & Brodie. Alongside her curation and consultancy work, she is also City A.M.’s dedicated wine columnist. It is perhaps not surprising then that her first encounter with contemporary artist Nigel Stefani, and this week’s Spotlight artist, was in a bar.
Brodie says: “I bumped into Nigel, literally, at a biker bar on New Year’s Eve and we quickly started chatting about a host of topics, including the fact he was an artist and I collect a little bit. Some people are instantly open and engaging and we arranged to meet for lunch at The Groucho Club a few weeks later, where he told me about his love of drawing since childhood, his studies in fashion and his move back to art as the most consistent thing he has done in his life.”
Known for his introspective portraits of the likes of Ben Whishaw and Sinead Matthews, Stefani interacts with individuals to illustrate their personal narratives and get to the heart of the human condition. His process often starts with a conversation between himself and the subject, which allows him to connect with the person in front of him within an un-staged, organic environment.
Stefani says: “There’s no such thing as a 2D person or a flat object, and so I find that inspiration comes from looking beyond the surface for me – the inside out on the open. All good art I think is somewhat autobiographical, so there’s some of me in there I’m sure too.”
Brodie agrees: “His art is a part of him, and I found his work compelling. It is immediately arresting and bold and I personally like pieces that make a statement but there is also a real refinement and delicacy to it, which shows the care and time Nigel takes over his complex works. It combines impact with intricacy.”
She adds: “There is a beautiful relationship between wine and art, and I am so impressed by Nigel’s skill, I would love to work together some day.”
Until then, you can catch Stefani’s work at a solo show, which will be a mix of drawing, sculpture and digital projection, in London late this year or early next. His latest print release, ‘REX’, which is his first series that’s purely a digital enterprise, has also just gone live.
Known for his introspective portraits of the likes of Ben Whishaw and Sinead Matthews, Stefani interacts with individuals to illustrate their personal narratives and get to the heart of the human condition. His process often starts with a conversation between himself and the subject, which allows him to connect with the person in front of him within an un-staged, organic environment.
Stefani says: “There’s no such thing as a 2D person or a flat object, and so I find that inspiration comes from looking beyond the surface for me – the inside out on the open. All good art I think is somewhat autobiographical, so there’s some of me in there I’m sure too.”
Brodie agrees: “His art is a part of him, and I found his work compelling. It is immediately arresting and bold and I personally like pieces that make a statement but there is also a real refinement and delicacy to it, which shows the care and time Nigel takes over his complex works. It combines impact with intricacy.”
She adds: “There is a beautiful relationship between wine and art, and I am so impressed by Nigel’s skill, I would love to work together some day.”
Until then, you can catch Stefani’s work at a solo show, which will be a mix of drawing, sculpture and digital projection, in London late this year or early next. His latest print release, ‘REX’, which is his first series that’s purely a digital enterprise, has also just gone live.
About the champion
Wine consultant and City A.M. columnist, Libby Brodie is a passionate communicator or as she sees it, “translator” of the world of wine. After leaving theatre production behind to launch Bacchus & Brodie Wine Consultancy, she works with brands and regions to engage new and more diverse audiences and improve the visibility of women in wine. In recognition of her progress, she was just named in the top 100 most influential people in the drinks industry by Drinks Retailing.
“[His work] is immediately arresting and bold and I personally like pieces that make a statement.”
Above THE ACTRESS – Pencil on paper – 175cm x 145cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above PPK – Pencil and pen on paper – 100cm x 70cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MOTHERS HAND AS RODIN 3 – Pencil on paper – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MICHELLE HAND 1 – Pencil on paper – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MARILYN – Pencil and pen on paper – 73cm x 55cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MAN LISTENING – Pencil on paper – 220cm x 145cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above IT’S A MAN A THING – ANDREJ PEJIC – Pencil on Paper – 42cm x 30cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above BUT TO DREAM_ LIMB – Wood; metal; knee support; shoe nails; wooden foot; prosthetic, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above AROMOUR – Digital Print – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above THE ACTRESS – Pencil on paper – 175cm x 145cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above PPK – Pencil and pen on paper – 100cm x 70cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MOTHERS HAND AS RODIN 3 – Pencil on paper – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MICHELLE HAND 1 – Pencil on paper – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MARILYN – Pencil and pen on paper – 73cm x 55cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above MAN LISTENING – Pencil on paper – 220cm x 145cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above IT’S A MAN A THING – ANDREJ PEJIC – Pencil on Paper – 42cm x 30cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above BUT TO DREAM_ LIMB – Wood; metal; knee support; shoe nails; wooden foot; prosthetic, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
Above AROMOUR – Digital Print – 59.4cm x 84.1cm, by Nigel Stefani, courtesy of the artist
