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My interdisciplinary practice investigates how the crafted object operates within shifting cultural, political, and economic landscapes. Utilizing a hybrid methodology that incorporates traditional drawing, painting, and photographic techniques with installation and public interventions, I examine the friction between the deeply personal and the explicitly political.

Central to both my studio projects and my curatorial work is an ongoing engagement with the epistemologies of the commons. Born in Suva, Fiji, and shaped by the post-industrial environment of Western New York, my work interrogates themes of displacement, shared geography, and spatial democratization. By positioning the artwork as a catalyst for dialogue within our broader cultural ecosystem, I ultimately examine how material culture simultaneously shapes, and is shaped by, these socio-economic forces.


Paul M Nicholson is a multidisciplinary artist and curator based in Ithaca, NY, where he serves as the Director of the Handwerker Gallery at Ithaca College. Prior to this role, he was the Director of the Martin Art Gallery at Muhlenberg College. Previously he worked at Parsons School of Design in New York City and was the founder/ director of Botanic Gallery in Brooklyn. He is a co-founder of the Bushwick Beer Garden and Formula Gallery in Buffalo, NY. Originally from Suva, Fiji, Paul grew up in Western New York. He holds an MFA from the University at Buffalo, an MS from Buffalo State University and a BFA from the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Contact: P a u l M N i c h o l s o n [at] g m a i l . c o m Paul M Nicholson Bio about general information


Selected Exhibitions and Activity

  • 2026
    • Lifelong Bills Fan, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester NY (solo)
    • HERE WHERE THE BODY KNOWS IT CAN HURT, Vox Populi, Curated by Gregory Donell Parker, Philadelphia PA
    • A Book Is a Conversation with a Stranger in the Future, Cornell University, Bibliowicz Family Gallery; Curated by Carla Liesching, Faye Pamintuan, Melaina Thompson; Ithaca NY
  • 2025
    • Roberson Museum Regional Art Show, Roberson Museum Binghamton NY
  • 2023
    • Eat Me, Collar Works, Troy NY, Curated by Natalie Kates
    • Transmuting Trash, Jill Stuart Gallery, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
  • 2021
    • I'M SO GLAD I'M JUST LIKE YOU, Brick and Mortar Gallery, Easton PA, Curated by Elizabeth Johnson
  • 2020
    • The Crown, garde House installation space, Lafayette College, Easton PA (solo)
    • With Love, High 5 Gallery, Philadelphia PA
  • 2019
    • 5th Biennial: The Last Picture Show, Rotunda Gallery, Bethlehem PA
    • Rt. 22, Soft Machine Gallery, Allentown PA
  • 2018
    • Persuasive Devices, Cedar Crest College, Center for Visual Research, Allentown Pa (solo)
    • Permission Structures, Re:find Gallery, Allentown PA (solo)
    • Identity Spectrum, cur. by Christine Fillipone, Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg PA
  • 2017
    • Botanical, Curated by Joaquin Goldstein, Local Project Art Space, New York NY
  • 2016
    • Hues of Red and Blue, Allentown Art Museum, Allentown PA
  • 2015
    • Panel Discussion: Social Practice, coord.by Julia E. Marsh, Allentown Art Museum, PA
  • 2014
    • Offense and Dissent, Sheila Johnson Design Center, New York NY
    • Artist Talk: The Nocturnes Curated by Niki Kriese, Parsons School of Design
  • 2013
    • Nurture Art Benefit, Bernarducci Meisel Gallery New York NY
  • 2011
    • Objects of Great Value, Botanic Gallery, Brooklyn NY (solo)
  • 2010
    • Consume this Art Show, New Phoenix Theater, Buffalo NY
    • The Animal as Signifier, Garage, San Diego CA
  • 2009
    • Paul M. Nicholson, Suva Museum, Suva Fiji (solo)
    • Paul M. Nicholson, Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Wellsville NY (solo)
    • Stations, curated by Wilka Roig. Wells College Gallery, Aurora NY & Community School
  • 2008
    • Sarah Palin 3rd Ward Election Party, Brooklyn NY
    • Bushwick Beer Garden; 2008 – 2013. Co-Creator/Director, Brooklyn NY
    • Molecules of Emotion, Greenpoint Diagnostic Imaging, Brooklyn NY Day Job, Parsons Department Fine Art Gallery, New York NY
  • 2007
    • Beyond/In WNY Albright-Knox Biennial; Burchfield Penny Art Center, Buffalo NY
    • Vineyard Art Show, Vineyard, Syracuse NY; Honorable Mention
  • 2006
    • Provflux 2006 Guest Lecture, Providence RI Terramorph, One Hour Gallery, Buffalo NY
  • 2005
    • Unhabit, Pittsburgh PA, curated by Eric Fleischauer
    • The Reflected Pearl, CEPA Gallery Buffalo NY (solo)
  • 2004
    • Copper Hill APSWNY/C. G. Jung Center Buffalo, NY (solo)
    • The Conservatory, TNL gallery, Raleigh, NC
    • Currency Exchange, Zavitz Gallery, Guelph University, Ontario, Canada
    • Sensitized Spaces 2.0, CEPA Gallery Buffalo, NY
    • Rough and Ready, Soundlab, Buffalo, NY
  • 2003
    • Visual Arts Board Exhibition, Upton Hall Gallery, Buffalo State College
    • Concrete Soapdish, Formula Gallery, Buffalo, NY
    • Shelf Life, Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo
  • 2002
    • Obsessions and Compulsions, Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo, NY


Curatorial Activity [PDF]

Exhibitions implemented as Chief or Co-Curator, and exhibitions implemented as Managing Director
[includes invited and inherited exhibitions]

Selected catalog introductions [PDF]

Heide Fasnacht, Ronny Quevedo, Laura Beth Reese, Claudia Bitran, Leslie Tucker, Katya Grokhovsky, Peter d'Agastino



Other projects and experiments

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