Nicola Bensley

Nicola Bensley (b. 1968)

One morning in 2015, Frank Auerbach received a visit in his studio from the photographer Nicola Bensley. Shooting on black-and-white 35-millimetre film in natural light, she captured a series of images warm with Auerbach’s charm, energy and humour. Piano Nobile exhibited the series, including five previously unseen images, as part of the 2022 exhibition Frank Auerbach: The Sitters. 

Nicola studied at Newcastle Upon Tyne College of Arts and Technology and Harrow School of Art. She worked as a photojournalist before moving into portrait and fine art photography. Her chosen subjects have frequently been artists and performers. Nicola exhibits regularly in London and has won a number of awards for both her portrait and fine art work. She has collectors on both sides of the Atlantic. Nicola has recently been focusing on her collaborative work with artist David Dipré.