Darcy Nicholas

Born in Waitara, Taranaki, Darcy Nicholas is a prolific contemporary Māori artist, curator, and creative director. He has been actively involved in the contemporary Māori art movement since the late 1960s. His work is held in many private collections throughout the globe, as well as private and public collections within Aotearoa. 

Darcy has contributed greatly to the Māori art landscape in helping establish key spaces such as the municipal museum and art gallery ‘Pātaka Art + Museum’ in 1998, and the biennial event, ‘Māori Art Market’ in 2005.

He continues to uphold indigenous networks through cultural exchanges between indigenous artists throughout the world. 

“My paintings are about identity, the ancestral lines that connect me with the universe. I want to paint the spiritual richness that speaks of the timeless culture that I know. I hope we never lose the multiplicity of our heritage.” 

– Darcy Nicholas