Nancy Whiston is a contemporary art curator and graphic designer who upholds the philosophy that art and design should be felt as much as seen. Her work explores the intersections of sensory perception and spatial transformation.
As a curator, Nancy’s work embodies the concept of world-building, delving into large-scale spatial transformations and the effects of temporal dissolution on the viewer. She utilises sensory modalities such as scent, sound, and light to craft perceptual illusions, wherein stimuli are distorted or misinterpreted by the brain. This nuanced approach extends to her graphic design practice, where unconventional elements challenge traditional visual paradigms and alter the viewer’s perception of time and space.
Nancy's interest lies in transforming her surroundings, extending perceptual boundaries beyond the immediately visible. Her curatorial and design work explores sensory experiences categorised as soundscapes, smellscapes, mindscapes, shadowscapes, timescapes, and bodyscapes. These modalities act as mediums for altered perception, enveloping the audience in heightened sensory awareness.
Nancy meticulously undertakes all graphic design for her exhibitions, ensuring a cohesive visual and experiential narrative. She collaborates closely with artists, developing designs that authentically represent and amplify the conceptual intentions of their artworks. This process allows her to engage deeply with the theoretical underpinnings of each piece, ensuring that the graphic elements complement the overall exhibition.
Her curatorial methodology shifts the focus from exhibition production to a critical examination of how exhibitions are performed, transforming exhibition spaces into dynamic, living entities. This approach is mirrored in her graphic design work, where each project becomes an inquiry into sensory and spatial interactions, challenging and expanding the viewer's experience.
Nancy’s dual expertise in curation and graphic design enables her to create immersive environments where art and design intersect, offering audiences a profound and multifaceted engagement with contemporary art. Her work not only interrogates the boundaries of perception but also redefines the role of sensory modalities in experiencing art and space.