Shoreham Apprentice puts art on display

3:15pm Friday 9th May 2008

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The Apprentice loser Nicholas de Lacy-Brown has hit back with a series of paintings on the theme of heartbreak and betrayal.

Among the works on show in London is Nicholas In The Renaissance, in which he reflects on his time on the BBC series and Sir Alan's damning verdict: "You're fired."

After getting kicked off the show, the 24-year-old barrister and property developer, from Shoreham, said on camera: "Sir Alan didn't have a good impression of me and didn't seem to see eye-to-eye with me.

"He made it very clear he didn't like my academic achievements. Presumably he doesn't have any of his own.

"He doesn't do art."

Nicholas showed his artistic promise as a boy, painting scenes from each of Shakespeare's 37 plays at the age of 13 and later staging several exhibitions in Sussex.

He continued to paint throughout his teens, completing a collection of reflections on war which was displayed at Worthing Town Hall.

His first major work, Le Paris Formidable, formed the centrepiece to his collection on Paris and subsequently of his first private exhibition held in Sussex in November 2000 in which he captured the essence of the city.

On leaving Sussex in 2002 to study law at King's College, London, opportunities to paint became more scarce and he followed his degree with a Masters in medical law and ethics and later the Bar vocational course in 2007.

Nicholas went on to develop his Sebastian's Arrows collection which deals with his time with Sir Alan Sugar on The Apprentice.

Julie Badrick, spokeswoman for Mayfair gallery hosting the collection, said: "The exhibition will no doubt be remembered to some extent because of Nicholas's associations with television.

"But the stark contrast of the character we got to know, albeit briefly, in the first week of the Apprentice and the one we see captured here turns out to be a really pleasant surprise.

"It is meticulously conceived and his painting is reminiscent of Bosch and Dali.

"All the works have Pre- Raphaelite style meanings which gradually expose the fascinating mind and innocent vulnerability of this highly creative academic.

"The collection is a bright, bold, entertaining romp through the agonies and ecstasies of heartbreak, adolescence and internal conflict. His work remains bold, fearless and exciting."

According to The Apprentice website, the artist was born plain Nicholas Brown but added the "de Lacy" moniker because he felt it sounded more sophisticated.

The site adds: "Although not born into aristocracy, Nicholas feels most comfortable in the role of an artistic, countryhopping lord.

"A keen fan of amateur dramatics, he supplements his earnings with a mixture of artistic endeavour and property development.

"He is exceptionally proud of his academic achievements.

"Nicholas lists his interests as painting, visiting galleries, sunbathing and reading in the bath surrounded by candles."

What do you think of Mr de Lacy-Brown's art? Comment below.