Darcy Nicholas

Darcy John Nicholas (born 1945) is a New Zealand artist, writer and art administrator.

Art administration career Nicholas opened his own art gallery in Lower Hutt in 1975. In 1981 he became director of the Wellington Arts Centre.

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

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. He has exhibited throughout New Zealand, Australia, Africa, United States, France, India, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, and Canada.

Nicholas was commissioned to produce the sculpture Hinerangi for the opening of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in 2015.

Awards and recognitions

1984 Fulbright Scholarship to observe contemporary Native American and African America art in the United States 2013 Supreme Te Waka Toi award, Creative New Zealand 2026 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award

Personal life Nicholas was born in Waitara in 1945. and European descent.