My Art — Nic McElhatton

Nic McElhaton Art

Nic studied Fine Art at Carlisle College and Sunderland Polytechnic between 1976 and 1980. After graduating he acquired a studio in Queen Street on the Newcastle Quayside, and for the next three years exhibited in a number of group shows across the north east of England. During that period he supplemented his income working as a stage hand and technician for the Tyne and Wear Theatre Company at the Newcastle Playhouse. He met his wife Louisa there when she joined for a season as assistant stage manager. He followed Louisa back to London when the season finished in 1983, and a few months later joined Christie's South Kensington as a porter.

He joined Christie's on a six week contract to cover the main porters on their summer holidays, and at the end of his contract Christie's offered him a permanent role. Nic spent the next 33 years at Christie's South Kensington, ending up as Chairman of the company until its colsure in 2017.

Despite a busy and fruitful career at Christie's Nic always found time to continue his work as an artist, exhibiting his work occassionaly and regularly at the annual Christie's staff exhibitions. His influences are wide and varied thanks to his years at Christie's. In his new multi-faceted role as an art dealer/consultant and advisor he now hopes to also devote more time his first passion.