Untitled 2007

John Nicol was born in Te Kopuru in New Zealand. He came to Auckland in 1965 to attend Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University. After receiving his diploma he taught at various secondary schools until 1983. He then travelled overseas and when he came back he worked as a house painter and plasterer and continued to teach art part time. From 1987 to 1992 he lectured on and off at Carrington Polytechnic. More recently he has been a lecturer at Elam School of Fine Arts. He obtained a Master of Arts in art history in 1999. He has exhibited frequently at a number of Auckland galleries. Nicol creates predominantly three dimensional works. He also paints and draws on paper. He has moved from works depicting elements of the earth and the pacific through to symbols that are less specific but more mysterious. Nicol has been a finalist in several art awards over his career including the Benson and Hedges Art Award, Wanganui Travel Art Award, and the Team McMillan Ford Art Award. He is represented in the collection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Auckland City Art Gallery and the Bath House, Rotorua. Privately, Nicol is represented in collections in New Zealand, Australia, USA and the United Kingdom.