BIOGRAPHY
BACKGROUND
Niki McQueen is a visual artist from Cape Town, known for her surreal and symbolic narrative work, with a background in communications and graphic design. Despite her profound passion for art, circumstances prevented her from pursuing formal art studies after school, and she went on to obtain an MSc in Marine Biology, a field that has significantly influenced her artistic vision and the aesthetic of her work.
As the Covid-19 pandemic swept the globe, Niki harnessed her creative resilience and pioneered and developed a unique technique over several years, which she uses to create richly-coloured, finely detailed, surreal, and otherworldly artworks. In a marriage of traditional and contemporary practices, her process begins with the creation of digital composites and collages, using fragments of hand-drawn and public domain images, meticulously combined, hand-printed, then hand-drawn onto heavy archival papers. Each piece undergoes a painstaking 10 – 12-step process involving washing, painting, colouring, and finishing with various materials, resulting in striking and intricate artworks.
MOTIVATION
Niki’s work is at times deeply personal, driven by her late-diagnosed autism, the profound impacts of Long Covid and PTSD. Captivated with the extraordinary, she draws inspiration from literature, Jungian theory, vintage medical, biological, and scientific illustrations, museum and library collections, vintage printers, etchers and engravers, and classical surrealism—a central theme in her high school art studies.
Her work explores powerful and emotive personal symbolism and worlds of magical realism, probing the truths that lie on the edges of reason and the familiarity of everyday existence, with imagery that includes and alludes to anatomy, biology, psychology, archetypal interplay, mythology, innocence, joy, eroticism, decay, rebirth: being human. Each work tells a story, be it personal or symbolic, inviting viewers to explore meaning in their own interpretations.
PORTFOLIOS
Niki’s extensive body of work, comprising over 600 pieces, is divided into two main portfolios. The first, Niki McQueen Art, includes surreal and symbolic Fine Art artworks which stem from her process of focusing and reflecting on psychological and emotional disturbances or realisations. While some of these works begin with a deliberate theme, topic or purpose, some emerge and develop subconsciously and may take days, weeks or months to create, understand, and contextualise.
Her second more whimsical portfolio, Life Beyond Reason, features light and playful works that often depict children and animals or whimsical, dreamlike scenes, speaking to flashes of a somewhat surreal childhood characterised by an unquenchable curiosity, and spent often in the realms of imagination and make-believe. Through connecting with facets of the playful child inside, she seeks to express innocence and wonder and bring joy to viewers.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Niki sold her first artwork within a month of going public in 2020 and began exhibiting and signed with a gallery six months later. In under four years, she has sold over 220 artworks to local and international collectors. She was a top 40 finalist in the Vuleka Art Competition in 2021 and 2022, a top 100 finalist in the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition in 2021 and won the Africa Regional Award in the international Copic Awards in 2021. In 2023, she represented South Africa at the Art Connects Women Exhibit in Dubai. She published her first book of art and poetry in 2022 and has had her work included in several international publications, including an upcoming feature in Suboart Magazine (September 2024).
Since 2022, Niki has had an ongoing collaboration with cult-celebrated US punk cabaret duo, The Dresden Dolls, which started when she created a collection of artworks for their 2023 and 2024 tours. She also collaborates with lead singer, bestselling author, human rights activist and TED speaker Amanda Palmer, and has worked with Nathan Monk, bestselling author and noted human rights activist. In 2024, Niki joined the South African print collective, The Printing Girls and her work is available for sale directly and in several notable South African galleries. Her Artist CV is available on her website.
Her work is available for sale through this website and in several notable South African galleries.
You can find out more about Niki in this interview.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
The themes and symbolism in my artwork are diverse and speak to a life lived hard. They touch on the challenges of being an atypical person in a neurotypical world, to the horrors human beings are capable of, to burning loves that are ashes now, to a complex relationship with constructs like the patriarchy and organized religions, to deep rage about economic, cultural and gender injustices. They also speak to dream and wish-fulfilment and the imagination of a permanently-puzzled child. From sublime joy, to severe trauma, the tapestry of my life is woven inexorably into my art where words have failed me, insistent it be given space, demanding it be seen and felt.
From the earliest time, my artistic inspiration and the resulting endeavors have always been infused by a yearning for the edge-places: the realms beyond reason and familiarity. I seek to examine emotional reactions, ingrained beliefs, thoughts, and societal norms and further my knowing of myself and others, through the lens of my personal paradigm. I seek to explore and understand the misunderstood places in myself and others, as well as our connection to, and the language of, the psyche.
My work often reflects my profound fascination with the human experience, which I have come to understand is a powerful need driven by an atypical existence, that permeates every facet of my life. With deep appreciation for elements of Jungian theory, I both deliberately and subconsciously strive to express personal and archetypal narratives and perspectives, using surreal compositions which embody a spectrum of experience and being, including grief, joy, whimsy, humour, sorrow, curiosity, longing, regret and many others I have no names for. .
Jarring or unsettling juxtapositions and impossible encounters appear commonly in my artworks, always pushing the boundaries of my understanding and ability. The significance of my work, often created in a hyperfocused, trancelike state, is sometimes glaring, and sometimes only becomes apparent after deep reflection. I strive for authenticity, trying to never contrive meaning or force interpretation on viewers. These pieces often provoke unbidden triggers in myself and others and connecting with my audience and peers through this channel, has been invaluable.
My artistic journey is a crucial pursuit of the truths I seek in myself, and a desire to provoke examination, and bring meaning and joy to others.
NIKI MCQUEEN, 2024
BUY ARTWORK OR PRINTS
All the original work on this website is for sale unless otherwise indicated, and if you are interested in purchasing artwork, the simplest and quickest way to do so is drop us an email and we’ll arrange for a quote and send you close-up and in situ images of the work. All the info you need on purchasing work is HERE.
Prints of selected works in various formats are available in Niki’s Etsy store or privately, by request. Her fine art works are only available as limited-edition prints.
COMMISSIONS
Niki accepts commissions on a first-come-first serve basis. She works closely with clients throughout the creation of their artworks, ensuring they are satisfied that their vision comes to life to perfection. Commissioned works vary in price, depending on the size and complexity of the piece. Pricing starts at USD $250.
For more information or to book a commission, fill in this form or email nikimcqueen@gmail.com
COMMISSION QUERY
BECOME A PATRON…
Niki has a Patreon Page for supporters and collectors who wish to assist her financially to create art, in the face of challenging medical circumstances. Niki announces print drops, releases new work and shares insights, behind the scenes snippets and work in progress images and videos on this platform. Her page is free to join, and premium content starts at $1 per month.