Nicolas Ruston, born in Epping, England in 1975, is a British artist and sculptor, is most recognised for his scratch paintings and silicone paintings; inspired by and depicting commercial products, contemporary popular culture and its relationship with the mass media. His work has been described as "synthesis[ing] the kinetic energy of abstract expressionism with the iconic representation of pop art". (Christa Paula, Art Historian).

Ruston began painting professionally in 1987 aged 12 and graduated with a BA in Design Management and Innovation from De Montfort University following a three-year apprenticeship under the late sculptor John Warren.

His art is informed by his experience in media industries, where image plays an integral part.  He started as a Head Designer and from there moved into designing movie and pop video props to pre-production artwork, visualisation and graphics.  He then entered into the ultimate world of image and manipulation - advertising.  He has worked as an Art Director on brands such as Jaguar cars, Sky Television plc, Diesel clothing, Barclays, Virgin Group and the BBC.

Ruston's scratch paintings are created using distinct materials such as MDF, household gloss, duct tape and silicone.  The creation of these pieces is as visceral and as multifarious as the pieces themselves.  Ruston scratches into splattered layered paint with blades, scalpels and other surgical instruments.

Ruston has recently been shortlisted for the Sovereign European Art Prize, with an exhibition at the Barbican Centre in London this summer, click here to find out more. 

Two of Ruston's scratch paintings entitled The Superficial Transparency of Everything and Consumption are featured in key scenes in the film Dead Man Running (released 2009). His installation Euphoria, proved to be a widely reported piece around the world. You can read the BBC article by clicking here.