Nick Veasey’s work goes beyond the surface—literally. Using X-ray technology, he reveals the hidden beauty within everyday objects, offering a fresh perspective that merges art and science. In this interview, we dive deep into his creative process, exploring what drives his unique approach and what surprises him along the way.
Check Out All the Pieces by Nick HERE
Your X-ray art uncovers a world hidden beneath the surface of everyday objects. Can you share what first led you to experiment with X-ray technology as an artistic medium?
I’ve been into all forms of photography since I was quite young. I was exploring anaologue experimental abstract photography when x-ray just found me. I saw a newspaper article of flower x-rays by Dr Albert Richards and I was transfixed. Shortly after that my wife, then a graphic designer for a light-hearted TV show came home from work saying she was struggling to find someone to x-ray a soda can. It was just meant to be I think…
Your work seems to balance the technical process of X-ray photography with a creative vision. How do you find the right blend between these two aspects to make your art both precise and imaginative?
I think you need a bit of both – technical prowess and a strong idea. Without these you are floundering. The idea is always key though. A beautifully detailed image of a crap idea is still crap. I know as I’ve done my fair share of those over the years.
When selecting objects to X-ray, do you follow a specific theme or look for a particular story in each subject? How do you know which objects will work best for your art?
That is quite hard to explain, but I’ll try. I have hundreds of ideas – good, bad and indifferent. The ideas that nag away at me, that keep coming back into my thinking, that make me smile – these are the ideas we end up doing. Typically an x-ray ‘scene’ with people and objects takes months to create so we have to try to be selective. The inspiration comes from everywhere, such as other artists, music, movies, fashin and life in general.
Your pieces give us a completely new way of seeing everyday items. Is there one object that you've X-rayed which really surprised you with how it turned out?
No it is not a new of seeing at all. Rontgen’s discovery of the x-ray has its 130th anniversary next year. I’m just picking up the ball and running with it (in no particular direction). I am regularly surprised by what can make a beautiful x-ray. Today I x-rayed a take-away burger carton and it looked exquisite. On the other hand, things I think that are going to x-ray well can disappoint.
For someone viewing your X-ray art for the first time, what do you hope they feel or take away from the experience? Do you have a particular message in mind for your viewers?
I hope they see the wit and irony in what we do. The message in my work is constant: It is what is on the inside that counts, not superficial things. My art is pretty straightforward. If it is an x-ray of a car you can see the engine and the mechanical parts. You don’t need a degree in art history to understand it, but when you really study the work there are a myriad of subtle details to discover.
Nick Veasey’s X-ray work invites us to see the world in a completely different way. Through his lens, everyday objects reveal layers of beauty and complexity that are often overlooked. His ability to blend the scientific with the artistic shows how curiosity and creativity can transform the familiar into something extraordinary. By challenging us to look beyond the surface, Veasey reminds us of the depth that exists in the most unexpected places. His art is a celebration of what’s hidden and the stories waiting to be uncovered.
Check Out All the Pieces by Nick HERE