About
Carolin Leary Prinn (b. 1984, Boston) is a figurative painter and author of The Islands of Niljora, a mythical world that frames her creations. Using traditional mediums, she brings her ethereal realm and its tales to life, layered with hidden symbolism.
Carolin completed a four year degree in painting at The Savannah College of Art and Design, then established her career as an exhibiting artist, illustrator and portrait artist in her ancestral home of New Zealand. She later ventured overseas to Europe. Carolin's work is collected by The National Libraries of New Zealand, has been a finalist for and published in The International A.R.C. Salon and is the recipient of merits and scholarship awards since she was a child. Her work can be found in public and private collections in Europe, North America, New Zealand and India.
Photo by A. Smailovic
Artist Statement
" I see my works as artefacts of my mythos, The Islands of Niljora. I began writing this world as a child and it has permeated my paintings, drawings and stories ever since. Parts myth, classic tale and spiritual journey, The Islands of Niljora is a symbolic reflection on our human story - ancient history to the modern world, human nature and experiences. I see in my work a connection to a lifelong fascination with nature, mythology and the ancient world."
Carolin Leary Prinn is a Fantastical Fine Artist, Painter, Illustrator & Author - art-of-carolin-prinn, symbolic art, surreal art, esoteric art, fantasy art, mystical art, spiritual art, beautiful bizarre artist directory, International ARC Salon, Adam Portraiture Award, Florence Academy of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, new contemporary artist, fantasy artist
Publication & Press
2024 Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, Issue 45 - Pre-order
2023 Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory Online
2019 International A.R.C. Salon Publication, Issue 14, Art Renewal Center - U.S.A.
2017 Dir. Mette Skougaard, Denmark Museum of National History, Artist Talk - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2015 Renegade Peach Productions - Artist Feature - Wellington, New Zealand
2015 ZHIZHY - Artist Feature - Wellington, New Zealand
2015 RadioActive FM - Artist Interview - New Zealand
Exhibitions
UPCOMING
2024 "The Portrait Show 12: Myth" - Modern Eden Gallery - 15 June
GROUP
2023 The Frankfurt Book Fair - Germany
2023 The Almenara Art Prize Online Exhibition
2020 The Florence Academy of Art Online Student Exhibition
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 Exhibition - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2017 "Wanderlust" & "Vernissage" - PRO4 - Berlin, Germany
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
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
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 Exhibition - The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
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
SOLO
2016 "Worlds" - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand
2014 "Entrance To The Secret Worlds" - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand
2013 "The Primordials" - Deluxe - Wellington, New Zealand
Awards & Honours
2022 16th International A.R.C. Salon, Semi-Finalist (Three Categories)
2021 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 Portraiture Award, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2014 Finalist, Adam Portraiture Award, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2014 The Adam Portraiture Award National Tour, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2010 The Savannah College of Art & Design, Painting Residency, Lacoste, France
2007 - 2010 'Dean's List', The Savannah College of Art & Design, U.S.A.
2007 - 2010 Artistic Award Scholarship, The Savannah College of Art & Design
2006 - Offered 'Artistic Scholarship' from The San Francisco Academy of Art
2002 - 'Honourable Mention' in sculpture, The Scholastic Art Award, U.S.A.
Books
2021 The Spirit of Shadows, written & illustrated by Carolin Leary Prinn
2015 The Primordials & Tales from The Islands of Niljora, written & illustrated by Carolin Leary Prinn
Collectors & 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, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Germany, France, Spain, Canada, India
Education
2019 - 2021 The Florence Academy of Art, Italy
2010 Honours B.F.A., painting, illustration & concept art, The Savannah College of Art & Design, U.S.A.
2008 White Cloud Workshops, concept art with Paul Tobin (WETA), New Zealand