Nic Human
BIOGRAPHY
Nic Human, the artist behind Nic Human Art, is driven by a profound connection with the ocean and its vibrant life. Based in Adelaide, Nic employs a contemporary impressionist technique that blends traditional and experimental paint application. While exploring various subjects in the world of art, Nic's primary focus lies in capturing the beauty of marine wildlife and the ocean. With a commitment to authenticity and in-depth research, Nic has spent significant time consulting marine scientists, snorkelling, and embarking on journeys to remote beaches to witness sea turtle nesting and hatching. This deep engagement with marine life has captivated Nic's artistic journey, particularly as a return to the surfing experiences of youth rekindled a fascination with the creatures that share the waves. Alongside this, the exploration of colour theories and the play of light on water's surface and below has become a central theme in Nic's work. Nic has learned that our connection with the ocean is far from neutral, as these remarkable creatures evoke profound emotions in our souls.
His underwater subjects began with the sea turtle species and expanded to encompass other marine life, including sharks, groupers, and rays. Most recently, as a future art project, he began to explore the conservation of marine life of the Great Southern Reef of Australia. Over the years, Nic has achieved numerous milestones in his artistic career, including solo exhibitions, gallery sales, successful commissions, awards, and features in publications. Nevertheless, Nic's unwavering focus remains on depicting the interplay of light and subject, utilizing techniques reminiscent of the famous impressionists.
Currently, two professional galleries show his paintings in Australia: The Montville Art Gallery in Queensland and Artworx Gallery in Goolwa. He is also a management committee member of the Adelaide Art Society.
In September 2024, Nic graduated from a PhD in visual arts at Durban University of Technology that explores the role of art in marine life conservation and ecological preservation, by investigating threatened sea turtle species of the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The thesis contributes to the greater Anthropocene debate while framing a series of paintings within ecological art discourse.
In 2023, Nic's exceptional talent was recognized with a "Best in Show" award at the Campbelltown Art Show and a Merit Award at the Royal South Australian Society of Arts winter exhibition. In 2022, Nic and his family relocated to Australia from South Africa, where he had previously exhibited and sold artworks at prestigious venues, such as The Green Gallery in Mount Edgecombe, The Gallery at the Lifestyle Centre in Ballito, Makiwa Gallery in Umhlanga, and the DUT Art Gallery. In 2021, Nic was featured on the cover and had an eight-page spread in the South African Artist magazine.
