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TIM NICOLA (b. 1954) |
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Born in 1954, sculptor Tim Nicola, a Penobscot Indian, was raised on Indian Island - his tribe’s reservation in the middle of the Penobscot River in Maine.
Growing up, Tim always had access to a workshop as his father, grandfather and grandmother were basket makers. Like many others in his community, Tim’s carved wood as a boy but early on his bent was for painting and drawing.
In 1980 Tim moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in order to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts. Although he initially enrolled as a painter, after a short time he became interested in three-dimensional arts to which he fast became devoted. His first sculpture teacher was renowned sculpture Doug Coffin, and another mentor of Tim’s was award winning sculptor Doug Hyde. In 1995, Tim’s monumental bronze sculpture – The Life Givers - won 1 st place, Best of Division in Bronze and Best of Class in Sculpture at Santa Fe’s 74 th Indian Market. He placed first in stone works in the 75 th, 76 th, and 77 th Indian Market and has been awarded numerous other prizes and recognitions throughout his career.
Tim works in alabaster, marble and bronze. He most often sculpts graceful, stylized female figures typically bearing baskets or water vessels. “In my work,” he explains, “composition, balance, line, rhythm, harmony, movement – all these come into play. Creating these pieces is a love affair – it really is.” Tim has recently returned to live on Indian Island, Maine.