Nickolas Viele was born in West Covina California in 1982. He grew up the youngest of three children. As an infant his family relocated to Rochester, New York where he still resides today. Growing up in poverty he learned to appreciate all aspects of life around him. Art was an outlet for Nickolas, and he found his place in the world of art as a sculptor. Early in Nickolas’ career, Robert Rauschenberg had been a source of inspiration when it came to Nickolas’ sculptures and the stories he tells through his work. Nickolas completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture at the College at Brockport in the fall of 2019.
Nickolas moved on to completing his Master of Fine Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the spring of 2021. Marc Quinn with his knowledge in casting, and materials, have allowed Nickolas to open his mind up to new and exciting ways to connect with his audience. With his knowledge of traditional techniques with practices in metal-working and fabrication, along with a clarity of form, Nickolas creates minimal visual confusion for the viewer. He still lives in Rochester, and his work has been showcased in the Brockport and Rochester area since 2017.