Following the success of Nick’s Italian Job art show in Rome, he was invited onto the renowned Rock Nation Radio station. Nick sat down with Editor and Photographer Daniel Bianchini, who interviewed him about his impressive 50-year career as a world-renowned rock art photographer and his exciting new venture into dark conceptual art.

During the interview, Nick shared insights into his artistic journey, discussing the evolution of his work and the impact of his experiences in the music industry. He also explored the themes and inspirations behind his latest projects in dark conceptual art.

This engaging conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into Nick’s world and highlights his enduring passion for art. Please read the article below, which has been expertly translated by Nick’s amazing Italian PA, Raffy Clementi. Alternatively, you can watch part of the interview—it’s entirely up to you!

“Rome. I walk numb from the cold, even though it is March 28 and at least on paper it should be Spring, towards the Medina Art Gallery to attend the vernissage of the photographic exhibition “The Italian Job” by Nick Elliott open until April 3.
Arriving at the exhibition I am welcomed very warmly by Nick Elliott and the Italian curator Raffaella Clementi who will help me to better understand what will then be a real journey into Elliott’s universe .
The artist very , very well known in the UK , is at his first exhibition here in Italy where he presents 25 of his shots.
I think Italy is the most important cultural center in the world , Nick tells me , and I think they understand what I’m trying to do with my art .
He immediately shows himself to be a very easy-going person, come on , let’s try to erase these stereotypes of the cold and detached British, Rock both in attitude and in look, and capable of immediately getting in tune with anyone who wants to talk about his art.
The exhibition opens with the musical photographs that I observe very carefully. On the walls there are many of the great names of Rock and, at this point, I could reel off the list of artists to lengthen the paragraph and it would end like this but, as a music photographer, I look at the images with analytical eye rather being struck by how, at times, these latter escape the rules of photographic composition. The images show the inner personality of the artist and what they do Elliott explain to me, are very deep shots, they are not reportage.
You’re damn right Nick, shits must tell a story, and above all, excite.
From the main room a secondary space develops . It is precisely in this space the Dark Art of the British photographer begins.
The photos on display are a punch in the stomach, they whisper loneliness, they cry out pain, they suggest confusion and these shots , almost always intentionally underexposed so that darkness dominates over light , allows us to enter without filters into the most intimate part of Nick Elliott.
They are self portraits , the shots are all about me, he tells me, and they document my emotional journey of the last 40 years.
The artist pauses for a moment then continues.
Dark Art was born from the loss the loss of my mother. After her I lost my son and I lost my father, then I lost my wife and I risked losing my life because I attempted suicide.
Behind his big dark glasses I imagine the eyes of someone who has seen hell. I don’t know what to say. I remain petrified. I can only look at those photos and see even more strongly the pain, the confusion and the loneliness, but I also perceive the cathartic power of art and those shots suddenly are not longer bloody , but rather on those images I see the scars of a reborn soul.
Resilience, if I didn’t hate this abused and violated noun so much, I could use it as a subtitle for Nick Elliott’s art.
I didn’t look at this exhibition only with the eyes of a photographer , not only with those of Rock lover. To really understand it, different eyes were needed, ones that are not satisfied with just seeing, but that can feel those of the soul.”

What a totally fabulous guy Daniel was!

I just LOVE Italy… Nick Elliott Rock Art Photographer…