Nico went to Warmwater Primary School, an institution of the Congregational Church and proceeded to his secondary school at Morester Senior Secondary School in Oudtshoorn. He completed his final year as an integral part of a theological course which he pursued for two years.
His interest in art was initially inspired by the daily regimen of rural lifestyle, which included the gathering of firewood for the family home. Through this, he became more involved with nature and his surroundings. The shapes and forms of wood and trees made a lasting impression on him. Many of his early drawings and sketches reflect this awareness and illustrate the awakening of his creative urges.
When he eventually found his way to the Cape Peninsula, the desire to give artistic expression to his personal ambitions, led to him meeting with the well-known South African artist, Gregoire Boonzaier. The friendship later inspired Nico. It was Boonzaier who advised Nico to enrol at the Ruth Prowse Art School, which he did in 1972. Here he studied painting under another well-known South African artist, Erik Laubser.
Nico also nurtured the dream of becoming a sculptor. In 1981, he once again enrolled at Ruth Prowse to study sculpture while continuing to paint.
In 1985, he received his diploma and began sculpting full time starting in 1986. In 1988, Nico's hard work and perseverance was rewarded with a scholarship from the British Council to further his studies in sculpture in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Nico acknowledged the contribution made in his early years by Gregoire Boonzaier, who saw the potential in an emerging artist and purchased Nico's work. Boonzaier assisted Nico in securing a 3 month period in 1980, during which he could study with June te Water.
Nico was awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Bellville Eistedford during 1977.
Solo Exhibitions
1988
Grey College, Aberdeen, Scotland
1987
Art Scene, Sea Point, Cape Town
1986
Edrich Art Gallery, Stellenbosch
1983
Atlantic Art Gallery, Cape Town
Group Exhibitions
2012
Turn Around Time, annual Winter Solstice exhibition at The Cape Gallery
1985
Ruth Prowse
Edrich Gallery, Stellenbosch
South African Association in Bellville, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Primart Foundation, Claremont, Cape Town
Chelsea Gallery, Wynberg, Cape Town
Kunshuis
Gallery, Clanwilliam
South West African Association of Art, Windhoek (Nimibia)
Strydom and Brink Art Gallery, George
Johannesburg Art Gallery
The Neveling Gallery, Windhoek, Namibia
"Freedom now" - Exhibition, Namibian Independence Art Exhibition
The Desire Resnick Gallery, Cape Town
Duffy Park, Aberdeen, Scotland
1984
Ruth Prowse
1983
Ruth Prowse
Collections
Gregoire Boonzaier collection
Dr. M. Strydom (Knysna)
Dr. van der Ross
Prof. P. Volschenk (Pretoria)
Dr. Burger (Johannesburg)
Parow Municipal Collection
Tygervalley Library collection
Nico's work is found in numerous collections locally and abroad in countries like USA, Britain, Scotland, Spain, Germany, Holland, Australia and Namibia.
|
 |


Artist: NICO PRINS
Title: Ravensmead
Size: 36 x 43 cm
Media: Oil board
ID: 26649
Price: R 22 000 Framed
|