Checking-in with Nick Archer

Local artist Nick Archer was a graduate of the Royal Academy Schools (1996 – 1999). He has recently shown a series of paintings at ArtParis in the Grand Palais in Paris, which will move to the Gowen Contemporary in Geneva this Autumn. He also currently has paintings on show in the Saatchi gallery in London as part of its ‘Inflorescence’ exhibition. Nick is currently the chairman of the Rye Society of Artists and is heavily involved with their upcoming 75th annual exhibition. He regularly shows work at Rye Art Gallery and is a trustee at Rye Creative Centre where he also runs art classes and weekend painting workshops. In these, he encourages the participants to explore the natural surroundings of Rye and create work that reflects their experience of it. Areas they explore include Great Dixter House and Garden, Pett Level, Rock Channel and Fairfield churchon Romney Marsh. You can view Nick’s work here and for details about his classes, go here. Considering how busy he is at the moment, we were delighted to grab a quick moment with him during a rare break in his artistic endeavours!

What brings you to The George?

The George has a beautiful old bar which is always welcoming. They also serve my favourite pint; Harveys which is brewed in Lewis.

What is your earliest hotel memory?

I was lucky as a child in the early 1970’s to be taken on family holidays to what felt like exotic locations in Spain and Italy. I remember eating real spaghetti for the first time (rather than the Heinz tinned variety). In some ways it was life defining.

What is the best/most important part of staying away in a hotel for you?

Atmosphere. A good historic building with character and history.

What are you currently reading/binge-watching/listening to?

I’ve been reading ‘Wilding’ by Isabella Tree. It is the history of Knepp, about the environmental issues around re-wilding the Knepp Estate in Sussex. I’ve also been watching ‘Legends’ a crime drama based on a true story.

Besides The George, which hotel would you most like to check out?

The Ice hotel in Swedish Lapland.

Do you have a hotel lobby/lift story to share?

No sorry, but I wish I had!

What is your favourite feature in The George?

The pint of Harveys!

Hypothetically, who would you most like to discover is a fellow guest?

It would probably be Paul McCartney which is a realistic possibility, as I’m sure he will have been in many times being a ‘local’ of sorts.

What helps you get to sleep at night? (Keep it clean!)

A good film, a hot chocolate and a comfortable bed. (That’s the clean version)

My secret Rye discovery is…

Rye Creative Centre which is on New Road and is the home for nearly 30 artists and makers who hold exhibitions, events and workshops for the community of Rye.