"Drawing gives you nowhere to hide, but everywhere to run."

Nic Plowman

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Nic Plowman’s work is full with observation and insight, describing time, memory and lived experience with both intimacy and visceral energy. Plowman is primarily known for his dedication to both traditional and experimental drawing. His broader practice includes painting, printmaking and sculpture.

 

Born with Tricuspid Atresia (congenital heart disease) into a strong matriarchal family environment, Nic grew up in an extended household of four women and five boys (His Mum, little brother, two Aunties and, four older cousins); family finding strength in numbers after divorce, death and tragedy.

 

His narrative interests stem from his own life experiences which include two lots of open heart surgery; a six meter fall; and a recent punch-on with cancer. He uses these lived realities to approach his subjects with empathy and curiosity, and often explores themes of fear, triumph and vulnerability in himself and others - seeing his art-making as both symptom and remedy.

 

Nic Plowman has had 17 solo exhibitions and exhibited work in more than 60 group shows. He has been a finalist in many prestigious art prizes, including the Dobell Drawing Prize (Highly Commended, 2025; finalist 2023), the Kedumba Drawing Award (2024, 2023), the Doug Moran Portrait Prize (finalist 2012; semi-finalist 2018), and twice in the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship (2006; 2002). He was also selected with a distinction in the Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Award (2000). In 2023, his work was acquired into the Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawing by the Board of Trustees.

 

Nic has undertaken residencies both in Australia and internationally, and his work has been acquired into numerous local and international collections, both public and private.

 

An active member of both the arts and education sectors, Nic teaches workshops locally, interstate and internationally. He leads the life‑drawing program at independent art school The Art Room in Melbourne and has facilitated drawing sessions for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Queensland Art Teachers Association (QATA) and Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW (VADEA). Nic is also Head of Education at Zart, where he designs professional‑learning experiences for teachers and students across Australia

 

Born in Brisbane, Nic lives and works in Melbourne.

He is represented by James Makin Gallery