TOMISLAV NIKOLIC
b. 1970, AustraliaTomislav Nikolic is a self-taught contemporary artist known for his geometric abstractions that investigate the sensory and emotional power of colour. The nuanced luminosity of his paintings are created by layering transparent colour washes.
Early Years
Born in 1970 in Melbourne, shortly after his family migrated from the former Yugoslavia, Nikolic’s upbringing was shaped by his Croatian heritage and Australian environment. He developed his artistic practice independently, navigating identity, language, and a sense of cultural in-betweenness, which inform his approach to art making.
Tomislav Nikolic Artworks
Nikolic’s practice revolves around the physicality of painting, which he regards as a three-dimensional object. His signature technique involves producing numerous washes of transparent colour, created by mixing marble dust with pigments, that produce the simultaneously opaque and translucent appearance of his work.
Exhibitions
Tomislav Nikolic’s work has been featured in numerous institutional group exhibitions.
Group Exhibitions
- Other People Think, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland (2018)
- Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2013)
Collections
Tomislav Nikolic’s works are included in major institutional collections, such as:
- Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland
- The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
- The Obayashi Collection, Tokyo
Website and Instagram
Tomislav Nikolic’s website can be found here.
Tomislav Nikolic FAQs
What materials define Tomislav Nikolic’s artwork?
Nikolic’s paintings often feature layers of acrylic or synthetic polymer paint, marble dust, and precious metals such as gold leaf, creating unique luminosity and texture.
Where can Tomislav Nikolic’s work be seen?
His artworks are included in major public institutions, notably the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
What themes recur in Tomislav Nikolic’s practice?
Nikolic explores the sensory qualities of colour, identity, memory, and language—a practice that bridges personal history with reflection on contemporary art.
What is Tomislav Nikolic’s heritage?
Nikolic was born into a Croatian family in 1970 in Melbourne, Australia, where he was raised.
What is unique about Tomislav Nikolic’s process?
His meticulous method involves layering materials, resulting in complex surfaces and prismatic colour effects.
Ocula | 2025
View Tomislav Nikolic's Artworks
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