Barbara Nicholls studied at Goldsmiths College for a BA Fine Art (1982-86), University of East London MFA (1996-98) and Practice Based Doctorate in Fine Art (2000-06).
Barbara Nicholls has exhibited in the UK and internationally including at Patrick Heide Contemporary Art, UK (2022), The Jetty Museum Windermere, UK (2022), JGM Gallery London, UK (2020 & 2019), Aleph Contemporary, UK (2020), The Turnpike, Leigh, UK (2019) Städtisches Museum Galerie, Wesel, Germany (2019,) The New Art Gallery Walsall, UK (2017), Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery NSW, Australia (2017), Museum Kurhaus Kleve, Germany (2015), Griffin Gallery London, UK (2013), Tourhaus Romberg Park, Dortmund, Germany (2013), Emerson Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2013), Dok25a, Düsseldorf, Germany (2012), Projektraum-bahnhof25, Kleve, Germany (2012), KARST, Plymouth, UK (2012) Pavillon am Milchhof Berlin, Germany (2011), APT Gallery London, UK (2008), Imperial War Museum, London, UK (2002).
Barbara Nicholls has held several residencies including Stiftung zur Förderung zeitgenössischer Kunst, Weidingen, Germany (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016) The Turnpike, Leigh UK (2019) Mungo National Park NSW, Australia (2016) Telpost, Millingen ann Rijn, Netherlands (2016 and 2013), Colart, London, UK (2012) ArToll ,Bedburg-Hau, Germany (2014, 2012 and 2010), Ateliergemeinschaft, Milchhof e.V. Berlin, Germany (2009) and Porto Alegre with the British Council, Brazil (1994).
Barbara Nicholls has been the recipient of a number of bursaries and awards including grants from the Arts Council England and the British Council. Her work is held in the collection of Museum Kurhaus Kleve Germany, The New Art Gallery Walsall UK, Willhelm Kaiser Museum Germany and private collections in UK, France, USA and Iran.