Nigel Shearing

Nigel Shearing is a Dorset-based sculptor, recently longlisted for The Artist Prize 2026 with After the Last Note: Emergence.​​​

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He creates contemporary sculptures from reclaimed pianos and pump organs. They hold a particular fascination for him. Their precision, history, complexity and ability to evoke human emotion make them powerful materials to work with.

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Much of his work explores emotional energy, loss and transformation. He's fascinated by the tension between the need for order, structure and predictability, and an equally powerful need for impulsivity, freedom and self-expression. Both are essential, but they often compete with one another to create a challenging dynamic. He's also intrigued by what happens when something reaches the end of its intended life, and how endings can become the starting point for something new. 

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​​Alongside this sculptural practice, he created Into The Light, an immersive experience that invites visitors to slow down, reflect and reconnect with curiosity, play and parts of themselves that may have been lost over time.

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Discover → Into the Light Experience

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His creative practice continues to evolve, shaped by a never ending thirst for curiosity, connection and renewal. 

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Follow him on Instagram → @nigel.shearing