Darcy Nicholas was born and raised in Waitara, Taranaki. He is a painter, sculptor, writer, and arts administrator. From 1973 to 1980, he was a full-time painter. In 1984, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to observe contemporary Native American and African-American art in the United States of America. He was General Manager for Cultural Services for Porirua City Council and a driving force behind the creation of Pātaka Museum of Arts & Cultures (later Pātaka Art + Museum). In 2004, he was Creative Director of the exhibition Māori Art Meets America. He received the 2005 Absolutely Creatively Wellington Award. He was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order.
