Darcy Nicholas

Darcy John Nicholas QSO (born 1945) is a New Zealand artist, writer and art administrator of Māori (Te Āti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā) and European descent.

Nicholas in 2010

Early life

Nicholas was born in Waitara in 1945.[1] He lives in Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt.

Art administration career

Nicholas opened his own art gallery in Lower Hutt in 1975.[1] In 1981 he became director of the Wellington Arts Centre.[1]

In 1986 Nicholas was appointed director of the Central Regional Arts Council and in 1989 was appointed Assistant General Manager with the Iwi Transition Agency.[1]

Nicholas led the development of the Pataka Art + Museum complex in Porirua, which opened in 1998. He stepped down from his role as Pataka's director and Porirua City Council’s community services general manager in 2012.[2]

Nicholas also established the Māori Art Market art fair in 2005 and has remained involved in the creative leadership of the event.[2][3]

Artistic practice

Nicholas has been involved in the contemporary Māori art movement since the late 1960s. Nicholas spent 10 years with the New Zealand Police early in his career, but painted and exhibited during this time. In 1973 he decided to move into making art full-time.[4] He has exhibited throughout New Zealand, Australia, Africa, United States, France, India, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, and Canada.[5]

Nicholas was commissioned to produce a sculpture for the opening of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in 2015.[6]

Awards and recognitions

Further reading
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References
  1. Te Waka Toi: Contemporary Maori Art from New Zealand. Wellington: Te Waka Toi. 1992.
  2. O'Neil, Andrea (4 December 2012). "Pataka director Darcy Nicholas returns to art career". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  3. "Toi Māori Arts Market set to wow Wellington" (6 November 2014). Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. "Maori artist uses colour to communicate". Stuff.co.nz. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  5. "Darcy Nicholas". Spirit Wrestler Gallery. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  6. "Nga Tapuwae - places of significance". Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  7. "Darcy Nicholas". Governor General of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  8. "Darcy Nicholas receives supreme Te Waka Toi award". Scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
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