About The Artist

 

Carolin Leary Prinn (b. Boston, 1984) has been inspired by myth, cultural tale and history from a very young age, stirring the creation of her mythical world, The Islands of Niljora, a world that frames her creations. With a love of symbolism she forms her imagery and stories – evoking realms of an ornate, mystical and otherworldly nature. Her work traverses fantastical illustration and realism, inspired by the Golden Age illustrators, classical animation, ancient art, and masters of The Renaissance and 19th century.

 

Carolin has been the recipient of multiple scholarships and 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. Her work has been a finalist in The A.R.C. Salon, The Adam Portrait Award, and chosen for national tour 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 graduated with a B.F.A. with Honours in Painting from The Savannah College of Art & Design, and classically trained for two years at The Florence Academy of Art in Italy, along with various workshops worldwide. She now lives as an independent fine artist and illustrator, dwelling in a small picturesque town in Germany.

 

Her works are held in private collections in Europe, New Zealand, The United States and India.

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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, Italy

2019  14th International A.R.C. Salon Finalist (Figurative)

2019  Finalist, Parkin Drawing Prize, The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

2018  Finalist, Parkin Drawing Prize, The 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, The 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  Awarded in top of the class 'Dean's List', Savannah College of Art & Design, United States

2007 - 2010  Honoured 'The Artistic Award Scholarship' for four years of study, Savannah College of Art & Design

2002  'Honourable Mention' in sculpture, The Scholastic Art Award, United States

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Selected Exhibitions

INSTITUTIONAL

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2023   The Frankfurt Book Fair - Fiction Books - Germany

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 - New Zealand 

2015   N.Z.P.G. National Tour - Millennium Public Art Gallery - New Zealand

2014   N.Z.P.G. National Tour - Percy Thompson Gallery - New Zealand

2014   N.Z.P.G. National Tour - PAH Homestead - New Zealand

2014   The Adam Portraiture Award - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery

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SOLO

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2016   'Worlds' - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand

2014   'Entrance To The Secret Worlds' - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand

2013   'The Primordials' - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand

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GROUP

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2017   'Wanderlust' - PRO4 organisation - Berlin, Germany

2017   'Vernissage' - PRO4 organisation - Berlin, Germany

2015   The New Zealand Art Show - TSB Arena - Wellington, New Zealand

2015   ´Art4Vanuatu´ - Bartley + Company Art - Wellington, New Zealand

2015   'Exhibit One' - 2 Eva Street - Wellington, New Zealand

2013   'Artist Showcase' - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand

2013   'Prints Showcase' - Kaan Zamaan Gallery - Kerikeri, New Zealand

2010   'Vernissage' - Rue Tromphime - Provence, France

2010   'Exposition' - Isle Sur La Sorgue, Provence, France

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Publication & Press

2022  Cover Illustration, Pansy Detwhiler Press - United States

2021  The Spirit of Shadows by Carolin Leary Prinn - Germany

2020  Raiffeisenbank - Golling, Austria

2019  The 14th International A.R.C. Salon Publication, Art Renewal Center - United States

2017  Dir. Mette Skougaard, Denmark Museum of National History, Artist Talk - N.Z.P.G.

2017  Sankt Marien Kirchengemeide - Leipzig, Germany

2016  Regjo - Germany

2016  Skydeck Music - United States

2015  The Primordials & Tales from The Islands of Niljora by Carolin L. Prinn - New Zealand

2015  Renegade Peach Productions - Artist Feature - Wellington, New Zealand

2015  ZHIZHY - Artist Feature - Wellington, New Zealand

2015  RadioActive FM - Artist Interview - New Zealand

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Collections & Clients

PUBLIC:

Pansy Detwhiler Press, U.S.A.

Raiffeisenbank, Austria

The Alexander Turnbull, National Library of New Zealand

Otago University Hocken Library, Dunedin, New Zealand

Otago University Library Main, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sankt Marien Kirchengemeide, Leipzig, Germany

Regjo, Germany

SkyDeck Music, U.S.A.

ZHIZHY, Wellington, New Zealand

 

PRIVATE:

New Zealand, Spain, Germany, France, Canada, United States, India

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Education

2019-21  Drawing and 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, United States

2008  White Cloud Workshops in Concept Art, Paul Tobin (WETA), Massey University, New Zealand

2008  Courses in Art History & Literature, Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand

2002 - Onwards  Various Workshops, School of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston & MassArt, Boston, United States

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