About The Artist
​
From a young age, Carolin (b. Boston, 1984) has been inspired by myth, folklore and history, stirring the creation of her mythical world, The Islands of Niljora, a world that frames all of her creations. With a love of symbolism she forms her imagery and stories - evoking a realm of a dreamy, mystical and otherworldly nature. Her work traverses the world of fantastical illustration and realism, inspired by The Golden Age illustrators, animation, ancient art, and masters of The Renaissance and 19th century.
Carolin has been devoted to her art and the recipient of multiple scholarship awards, amongst other accolades, since childhood. Following an influential painting residency through her university, she began her career as an illustrator and portrait artist in her ancestral home of New Zealand and found quick success. She has been a finalist for The International A.R.C. Salon, The Adam Portraiture Award, and selected to tour nationally with The New Zealand Portrait Gallery. As an author and illustrator, she has published two books on her Islands of Niljora held in the permanent and heritage collections of The New Zealand National Library and Otago University.
Carolin completed a B.F.A. with Honours in Painting from The Savannah College of Art & Design, and further studied classical painting and drawing with The Florence Academy of Art in Italy, along with various workshops worldwide.
Her works can be found in private collections in Europe, The United States and New Zealand.
​
Awards & Honours
2022 16th International A.R.C. Salon Semi-Finalist (Fully From Life, Portrait & Imaginative Realism)
2021 Work-Study Scholarship, The Florence Academy of Art
2019 14th International A.R.C. Salon Finalist (Figurative)
2019 Finalist, Parkin Drawing Prize, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2018 Finalist, Parkin Drawing Prize, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2016 Finalist, ADAM Portrait Award, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2014 Finalist, ADAM Portrait Award, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2014 Selected for The ADAM Portrait Award National Tour, New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2010 Selected for The Savannah College of Art & Design Painting Residency, Lacoste, France
2010 Awarded Honours 'cum laude', Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, Savannah College of Art & Design
2007 - 2010 Honoured 'The Artistic Award Scholarship' for four years of study, Savannah College of Art & Design
2007 - 2010 Awarded in top of the class 'Dean's List', Savannah College of Art & Design, U.S.A.
2002 'Honourable Mention' in sculpture, The Scholastic Art Award, U.S.A.
​
Selected Exhibitions
INSTITUTIONAL
​
2023 The Almenara Art Prize Online Exhibition - Spain
2019 The Parkin Drawing Prize - The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2018 The Parkin Drawing Prize - The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2017 The Adam Portraiture Award - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2016 N.Z.P.G. National Tour - Hastings City Art Gallery - N.Z.
2015 N.Z.P.G. National Tour - Millennium Public Art Gallery - N.Z.
2014 N.Z.P.G. National Tour - Percy Thompson Gallery - N.Z.
2014 N.Z.P.G. National Tour - PAH Homestead - N.Z.
2014 The Adam Portraiture Award - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
​
SOLO
​
2016 'Worlds' - Deluxe - Wellington, N.Z.
2014 'Entrance To The Secret Worlds' - Deluxe - Wellington, N.Z.
2013 'The Primordials' - Deluxe - Wellington, N.Z.
​
GROUP
​
2017 'Wanderlust' - PRO4 organisation - Berlin
2017 'Vernissage' - PRO4 organisation - Berlin
2015 The New Zealand Art Show - TSB Arena - Wellington, N.Z.
2015 ´Art4Vanuatu´ - Bartley + Company Art - Wellington, N.Z.
2015 'Exhibit One' - 2 Eva Street - Wellington, N.Z.
2013 'Artist Showcase' - Deluxe - Wellington, N.Z.
2013 'Prints Showcase' - Kaan Zamaan Gallery - Kerikeri, N.Z.
2010 'Vernissage' - Rue Tromphime - Provence, France
2010 'Exposition' - Isle Sur La Sorgue, Provence, France
​
Publication & Press
2022 Cover Illustration, Pansy Detwhiler Press - U.S.A.
2021 The Spirit of Shadows by Carolin Leary Prinn - Germany
2020 Raiffeisenbank - Austria
2019 The 14th International A.R.C. Salon Publication, Art Renewal Center - U.S.A.
2017 Dir. Mette Skougaard, Denmark Museum of National History, Artist Talk - N.Z.P.G.
2017 Sankt Marien Kirchengemeide - Germany
2016 Regjo - Germany
2016 Skydeck Music - U.S.A.
2015 The Primordials & Tales from The Islands of Niljora by Carolin L. Prinn - N.Z.
2015 Renegade Peach Productions - Artist Feature - N.Z.
2015 RadioActive FM - Artist Interview - N.Z.
​
Collections & Clients
PUBLIC:
Pansy Detwhiler Press, U.S.A.
Raiffeisenbank, Austria
The Alexander Turnbull, National Library of New Zealand
Otago University Hocken Library, New Zealand
Otago University Library Main, New Zealand
Sankt Marien Kirchengemeide, Germany
Regjo, Germany
SkyDeck Music, U.S.A.
PRIVATE:
New Zealand, Spain, Germany, France, Canada, U.S.A.
​
Education
2019 - 21 Painting Program, The Florence Academy of Art, Italy
2017 Intensive Workshop, The Florence Academy of Art, Italy
2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with Honours, The Savannah College of Art & Design, U.S.A.
2008 White Cloud Workshops in Concept Art, Massey University, N.Z.
2008 Courses in Art History & Literature, Victoria University in Wellington, N.Z.
2002 - Onwards Various Workshops, School of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston & MassArt, Boston, U.S.A.
​