Lot 60: Nicole Manning - The Rustling of a Creaking Stair

Due to my artistic focus consisting of the exploration of chronic pain conditions as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), my painting, “The Rustling of a Creaking Stair”, 2025 examines the psychological and physical toll of chronic pain framed through the lens of isolation and transformation. Set within a dense, secluded forest in County Carlow, the scene depicts a woman brushing her teeth at a discarded sink basin, surrounded by scattered plates of food which are drawn from restrictive and often ineffective diets commonly prescribed to those suffering from such conditions. Domestic objects, displaced in the natural landscape, symbolise both the search for control and the disorienting experience of navigating a medical system that often leaves patients, particularly women, feeling unheard and alienated. A recurring motif in my work, the deer head in the right corner of the foreground reinforces the theme of hypervigilance reflecting the heightened state of awareness that trauma imprints on the body. The painting captures the tension between isolation and the persistent need for connection. This dichotomy mirrors the isolating social landscape of contemporary Ireland, where many are pushed out of communion by an increasingly problematic housing crisis and absence of third spaces. At its core, this work embodies the theme of existing in a state of uncertainty, where the boundaries between the familiar and the unfamiliar, the domestic and the wild, are blurred. The title references a piece of my writing which examines PTSD and the hypervigilance it instills: the fear of danger, the rustling of leaves, the creak of an unseen staircase. By situating an intimate moment of care within an unstable, isolating environment, the painting reflects the precarious nature of both physical and emotional states. It speaks to the broader experience of transition - of searching for answers in an ever-shifting landscape, caught between past trauma and the possibility of healing.

60 x 80cm

Oil on canvas

Nicole Manning is a Dublin-based artist specializing in painting, whose work delves into the externalisation of inner turmoil within the human experience. Her recent focus centers on the intricate interplay between trauma and physical embodiment, with a particular emphasis on the profound connections between mental health and chronic stomach pain (ie. the brain-gut connection). Manning's art is deeply autobiographical, rendering her own experiences with visceral authenticity. Within her studio practice, she has cultivated a distinctive style that blends symbolism with emotive figurative forms. Her paintings frequently depict curled bodies and animals, depicting both the shape of the stomach and the agony of chronic pain. Central themes in her oeuvre include the common symptoms of PTSD, represented through symbols such as the deer, isolated beds, and dogs. Inspired by artists like Tracey Emin, Frida Kahlo, and Cecily Brown, Manning employs gestural brushwork and abstract elements to convey the depth of human emotion. Manning's work is characterised by a commitment to highlighting the invisible complexities of chronic pain and mental health struggles. Through her art, she seeks to provoke a deeper understanding and empathy for these pervasive issues, inviting viewers to engage with the unseen narratives that shape our lives. Manning is a recent graduate of NCAD having completed her BA joint degree in Fine Art Painting & Education, in which her degree show “To continue to live even when you don’t have the Stomach for it,” took place in the beginning of June. After completing her degree, she was awarded the Clancy Quay Residency, which provides a dedicated studio space in Island Bridge until July 2025 and a place in the esteemed Superprojects Professionalism Programme. Her work has been well-received, with paintings acquired for private collections and frequent sales. Currently, she is one of six practicing artists at Clancy Quay Studios. ​