These works have a direct relationship to my surroundings. Originally from Broken Hill, the Australian landscape plays an integral part to my art practice.

This group of works highlights the changing landscape along The Heysen Trail, from the north of South Australia to the very South Coast of the state.

The remnants of de Masi’s bush upbringing are subtly apparent in his large, expressive, emotionally powerful paintings. The outback theme is sometimes contrasted by a sense of urban grit and chaos to further veil his works in an element of mystique. Each painting is a significant piece of an on-going biographical account of de Masi’s life.

Some from the immediate past and others travel further back in time to childhood encounters. Colour takes a leading role in the paintings. At times it is decadently slathered on in unabashed portions and in contrast washed over the surface as a thin stain like a water impression which remains almost seeing through to the bone of the raw canvas left in its natural state.

Nikolas de Masi now teaches Art, Design and multi-media where he hopes to challenge and inspire young minds to think about creativity seriously. Nikolas de Masi aspires to invoke people’s passions and desire with his paintings.