Nick McMillen is a fibre artist using tree barks as his medium. It is a craft he was introduced to whilst teaching outdoor and primitive living skills in the woodlands of Sussex. Working with tree barks holds a special appeal for Nick. The process of harvesting raw bark into weaving material is not only enjoyable but also therapeutic and profoundly mindful. The repetitive nature of the work becomes a meditation, and the pursuit of precision and neatness adds an extra layer of satisfaction to his craft. 

Nick draws inspiration for his bark weaving patterns from a blend of interests in science, mathematics, and the natural world. While he is captivated by cutting-edge scientific discoveries and space exploration, Nick also holds a deep reverence for the outdoors and the environment which he has worked with so intimately. This duality shapes Nick's work, reflecting the delicate balance between human pursuit of knowledge and its impact on nature. He uses mathematical concepts, including those from particle physics, to craft patterns and shapes. Employing tree bark, a humble material with a millennia-old history, to represent these ideas allows him to comment on the consequences of our relentless quest for knowledge. These concepts are also intriguing as it is the same hands and brain that developed these crafts thousands of years ago that are now building instruments that can look far into the universe and to the smallest particles of matter.  

Nick was awarded second place in the Basket of Year 2021. He was given the Basketmakers'  Award at Cockpit in 2024. His work is exhibited at the New Craftsmakers.