Nick Fraser
Nick Fraser's life is a testament to the power of art as a means of expression and self-discovery.
My Story
Born to a bare-knuckle fighter on Blackheath Common, Fraser's early years were steeped in the traditional East End lifestyle. Despite his 32-year tenure at the Tate & Lyle factory and his dedication to caring for his mother, Fraser harbored a secret world of creativity and introspection.
A romantic recluse, Fraser taught himself to paint using the construction and decorating materials at hand, creating large-scale polyptychs that explore cosmic truths, religious themes, and abstract forms.
His fiercely private works delve into the complexities of existence, consciousness, and the male body, revealing a man in tense conflict with his inner self.
Fraser's formidable and seldom-seen body of work is now coming to light through the dedicated efforts of his lifelong friend and advocate, Mark O'Shaughnessy. As Fraser's story unfolds, his art stands as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy and transformative power of outsider art.
Gallery
Exhibition Film
Nick Fraser
Chapter 1
This short film offers an intimate window into the life and work of Nick Fraser, capturing rare footage shot by his lifelong friend and documentarian, Mark O’Shaughnessy, in the early 1990s.
Lovingly edited and brought to life by Mark’s son, Marcus, over 30 years later, the film was first screened at Chapter 1—Nick’s debut exhibition at The Crypt Gallery in London. Blending heartfelt narration, candid reflections, and archival visuals, the film tells the story of a working-class man who quietly created over a vast collection hidden away in East London.