AN ARTIST from Llandudno says he feels “blessed” to feature on a BBC arts programme depicting his work with an NHS trauma surgeon.
Nick Elphick, a figurative sculptor still based in Llandudno, was tasked with creating a portrait of inspirational London trauma surgeon Martin Griffiths, and will appear on BBC One’s Extraordinary Portraits presented by Bill Bailey.
Nick is the first artist to feature in the new series, and the episode sees the artist and Martin share their incredible stories and follows the relationship that develops between them as they work on the project.
Nick was born in Chester, but moved to Llandudno at the age of 11 or 12 to find a suitable school for his dyslexia.
“I’m severely, severely dyslexic, really had problems at school, had no self-belief,” Nick told the Pioneer.
“The council paid my fees at the amazing St David’s College and they changed my life.
“I ended up finding art because of St David’s – they pushed things that I was good at, and said don’t worry about the things you’re bad at.”
Nick said he “hid himself” in drawing, which helped him feel a sense of pride and understand both his and others emotions better.
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For 15 years, he lived and worked out of a studio without running water, with sculpting difficult to finance.
At night, he would often cut his foot on pieces of glass on the floor, and it was through a trip to A&E that his career changed.
He continued: “The nurses that knew me said ‘oh you need to do a sculpture and express how we feel’ and to do something for the NHS.
“I loved it because it’s an incredible and special thing we have.”
He soon worked on a piece of artwork with trauma surgeon Martin Griffiths, who works at one of London’s busiest hospitals, treating an average of two stabbings a day and two shootings a week.
Nick added: “I feel completely and utterly blessed by it, because it’s something I’ve always worked for.
“Martin is a game changer, such a strong character and we connected so perfectly – he’s caring and changing lives.
“To be able to express that, I can’t believe what I’ve managed to do, it’s a complete honour.”
Nick will appear on Extraordinary Portraits on BBC One on Monday, 17 July.
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