Nicolas Pol was born in 1977 in Paris, France and spent much of his childhood in Africa before relocating to France, where he earned his degrees from the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris and at the University of Cinema, Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris. The influence of film and philosophy can be seen in his paintings.
The viewer marvels at Pol's singular process involving mixed media and choice of environment (as seen in the video here). Pol marks the canvas through the action of the brush, his paintings become a metalanguage in itself; references to Paizer, a brand he created, references to NeverLodge, a theme park, references to native Americans, Mayan corn gods, American films. Pol's paintings are at once a serious commentary on themes like power, and a comical handling of other subjects, such as in his self-portrait. Feelings are captured in gestures creating a tension between the presence and the spaces without color of painting.
Pol's work is collected by many world-renowned collectors and has been presented in many international cities: New York (Restoin Rotfield), Milan (Cardi Black Box), Istanbul (74 Gallery), London (Allsopp Contemporary) and Paris (Cartier Pour L'Art Contemporain) among others. Nicolas Pol's art has also been shown in prestigious institutions such as the Plus Que Vrai ENSBA Salle des Quais in Paris and the Loic le Gaillard in London.