Darcell Apelu is a mixed medium artist of New Zealand European and Niuean descent and was raised in Mount Maunganui.

She completed her Master of Art and Design from Auckland University of Technology in 2013 and more recently completing a diploma of teaching in 2014. Darcell exhibits frequently while also currently teaching within the certificate of art and design and the bachelor of creative industries at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Darcell’s art practice involves mediums such as moving image, sound, performance and installation. Her practice is informed by her experiences as an afakasi female. The body plays an important role as she

In the performance New Zealand Axemen's Association: Women’s Sub Committee President(2014) Darcell enters the space with an axe on her shoulder, draped around her is a multicoloured cloak woven out of ribbons which looks Polynesian. In the middle of the gallery floor is a piece of wood encased in a metal framework. Darcell walks around the perimeter of the space out lined in red tape before taking off her cloak to reveal simple black athlete attire with NZ printed on the back of her singlet. She takes off her axe blades cover and walks towards the piece of wood in the centre of the space, positions herself on the wood and with a few breaths later she begins to chop. She is not an amateur; it’s obvious that she is highly experienced in the field of chopping. Due to the authenticity, it doesn't feel like the artist is performing but rather participating in an action that is as natural to her as putting shoes on her feet. With every strike she makes against the wood Darcell smashes stereotypes about her perceived pacific identity.

Darcell has exhibited in a number of group and solo exhibitions including: lai-pā, ST PAUL St Gallery, Auckland, 2017; Make Me, Tauranga Art Gallery, 2015; Such a damn Jam, The engine Room, Massey University Wellington, 2014; To and Fro, Artspace, Auckland, 2014; NZ Film Archive Presents Siapo Cinema, 2014; Palour, presented by Rebecca Hobbs, Lelani and Andre Kake and Kahu Tuwhare, Papaku Road, Otahahu, 2013; 2013; Close to Home, St Paul’s Street Gallery, Auckland, 2013; Same story Different Colour, gallery three, St Paul’s Street Gallery, 2013; Off stage 5, Artspace, Auckland, 2013; Return to sender, Papakura Gallery, Auckland, 2013; More than we know - performance series, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, 2013; 2012; Silk and Lace: 13th Anniversary Gifts, Blue Oyster Gallery, Dunedin, 2012; Anatomy of Paradise, Art Station, Auckland, 2011; Finding Neitherland, St Paul’s Street Gallery, Auckland, 2011; Volume Pilot Show, St Paul’s Street Gallery Three, Auckland, 2011. Darcell has also had a solo show titled Parallel’s, Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland, 2012.