“Australian illustrator and designer Nathan Nankervis has made a name for himself amongst the creative industry as one of the next big things. Having bagged accolades for his work from across the world and worked with some of the biggest clients in the country.”
– Crave Media
Whether it’s an abstract artwork or a letter of the alphabet, in Nathan’s world, everything is alive. Nothing is exempt from having to deal with everyday life in all its complexity… and mundanity.
Inspired by the Memphis art movement of the 80’s and cartoons of the 90’s, Nathan’s anthropomorphised graphical approach is complimented by his experimental use of colour, pattern, line and shape. His work spans art, design, illustration, installation, fashion and furniture...
“I’ve never read a book from start to finish. I get frustrated and bored. Having to read over the same page with none of the information sticking. Being a visual person, I see the letters as just differently shaped black squiggles, which is why I got into making letters of the alphabet more interesting for myself through my art.”
“Growing up my parents would work late so I had a lot of freedom. My first interactions with art were from the video games and cartoons that I would watch religiously. My dad always had his work laptop laying around and I would nag him to play on it any chance I got, I was obsessed with Microsoft paint and grew up very comfortable creating works digitally at a young age.”
“My mum is the creative of our family, she made her own quilts, clothing and even teddy bears. She was an eclectic character and always spoke to me like everything was alive. She’d refer to inanimate objects by “she” or “he”and I always looked at life from that lens, which is what spawned my iconic face motifs. In order to visualise this perspective I started giving my works a mouth, to let the audience know it’s alive and breathing, and eyes so the viewer can connect with it.”
Selected Clients
- The ABC
- Amnesty International
- Australian Super
- BONDs
- Crumpler
- Cartier
- Little Bao Hong Kong
- Heineken
- JD Sports
- Nike
- OPSM
- Platypus Sneakers
- Playstation
- Red Bull
- Reebok
- Seven Seeds Coffee
- Strava
- Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin
- Swatch
- Swinburne University
- TED Talks
- The Design Files
- The Lifted Brow
- The Loop
- Xero
Selected Press
- Swinburne 25 Project
- Australia Super’s Current Influencer
- VICE The Creators Project: Art Scout
- The Design Files: New Kid on the Blog
- The Young Ones Magazine: Featured Creative
- People of Box Hill
- Trouble Juice interview
- Houzz: Creatives at Home
- On Jackson Street: Artist Profile
- The Design Kids: Interview: Nathan Nankervis
- The Design Kids: 15 Designers to Watch in 2015
Published Work
- Amnesty International: AM-UNITY Magazine Issue 7
- Semi-Permanent Annual
- Voiceworks Issue 98 ‘Master’
- Hello Mr. Issue 03
- Agideas ‘Look Upstairs’
- The Loop ‘Designer to Watch’
- Frankie Magazine ‘Top Picks’
- Australian Design Biennale
Speaking Engagements
- Le Mana X NRL X Swinburne University Pasifika Youth Workshop (3 days) - 2023
- Swinburne University Honours Students - 2022
- Albert Park College - 2018
- The Design Kids #TDKTuesday @ General Assembly - 2017
- Australian Graphic Design Association: ‘First Five Out’ – 2015
Awards
- Agideas New Star Finalist – 2015
- Agideas New Star Finalist – 2014
- Australian Design Biennale Student Award – 2012
Exhibitions
- Outre Gallery ‘LOCALS’ Group show - Melbourne, 2024
- Sky Gallery Group Show - Melbourne, 2023
- SCAPE Artist in Residence - Melbourne, 2023
- ‘SMILE’- Solo Exhibition @ Lamington Drive Gallery - Melbourne, 2022
- Nathan & Friends Present: ‘Lettermen’ - Curated Group Show - Melbourne, 2016
- TDK:Fourplay – Australia-wide, 2014
- Terra Populi – Amnesty International – Melbourne, 2014
