Ireland has always had skin in the game when it comes to the world of art. But perhaps never to the extent that it does today. There are countless contemporary artists whose talent and contributions have extended far beyond the island, drawing recognition on the global stage. Irish artists are doing a great job of carrying the torch of those who have come before them, blending the nation’s rich culture and history into their creations. With art, you can see a bit of Ireland, its past and beauty across a variety of mediums, be it through street art, sculpture, video animation, or performance art.
There has certainly never been a better time to get involved in this creative space and get involved with art here on the island of Ireland. With so many incredible artists doing such great work, the ceiling is always being raised, and there’s certainly no shortage of inspiration. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 8 artists who are more than worthy of the recognition. You’ll definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for them as they continue to create.
Aisling Drennan: Abstract Expressionism Renewed
If we didn’t kick off our list of the best contemporary Irish artists with Aisling Drennan, we’d likely upset a number of art fanatics, along with a few Irish patriots. After all, there’s definitely no other Irish artist who journeyed from Riverdance to canvas.
Despite performing dance in over 400 cities across 43 different countries, somehow, all this is still overshadowed by her artistic accomplishments. This unique background has influenced her approach to abstract expressionism, and she brings a dancer's understanding of movement and rhythm to her paintings.
Her artistic progress tells an intriguing story that moves from bold primary colours of red, blue, and yellow to a softer palette of tertiary colours - a transition she attributes to becoming a mother. If you’re keen to see her work for yourself you can throw either the Royal Ulster Academy or the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art into Google Maps and start navigating your way. Here, you’ll be able to see her work, which explores the boundaries between structure and fluidity. Learn about the techniques and inspirations behind some of the most loved Irish paintings.
Vera Klute: Master of Multiple Mediums
"I take photos when I'm out and about to help me remember things... there is no benefit in copying a photo exactly as it is"
Vera Klute
Klute’s inclusion in our list is most certainly deserved, as her natural talent for working across different artistic mediums has caught many eyes here in Ireland and beyond. Her work is certainly unique in that it draws inspiration from her German roots and her time here in Ireland.
Her exceptional control over various artistic forms makes her unique, covering a wide range of mediums from sculpture and painting to drawing and video animation. She tackles themes from formal portraiture to public sculpture and kinetic installations. This versatility makes her one of Ireland's most adaptable modern artists.
If you were to take even just a glance at her latest exhibition, "Petals & Pulp" her deep connection with the natural world will almost immediately become apparent. We would recommend giving yourself time to take the exhibition in, as it shows she captures nature's complexity while finding peaceful order in chaos. If you were to try to replicate even some of what you see at the exhibition, you’re bound to make some really interesting art.
Gary Farrelly: Redefining Bureaucratic Art
In the interest of continuing on strong, we’re moving the discussion to the Dublin-born Gary Farrelly. The man who can be credited with turning bureaucracy into a bona fide art form. It’s one thing to stand out as an artist, but to stand out among some of the elite company mentioned on our list is a testament to just how well his art mirrors administrative systems.
The collection of installations, letters, drawings, and performances he produced over the years will make you look at your local DMV in a whole new light. He is also responsible for one of the most famous contemporary pieces of Irish art, a project called 'Going Postal'.
It would be selfish for Ireland to try and hold onto every big name it produces. Nowadays, Farrelly resides in Brussels, where he works as a professor at La Cambre ENSAV, teaching students the fine art of form-filling.
The artist excels at turning everyday bureaucratic elements into compelling art. His exhibition 'Proximity Papers' at Nadine Laboratory for Contemporary Art in Brussels features works like 'Teri Garr International Airport' and 'Systems Merger,' showing his unique view on organisational structures. As he explains, "I find that ability to produce your own reality through your work to be really, really useful".
So next time you're drowning in paperwork, remember Gary Farrelly. He's the guy making bureaucracy beautiful, one colour-coded file at a time!
Conor Harrington: Bridging Street and Gallery
There’s nothing better as an artist than when you come across somebody who works in your preferred style or medium. To many aspiring artists and hobbyists across the island, Conor Harrington is exactly that. He’s an artist who’s captured a sizable following for the way he’s been blending classical and street art.
It’s always inspiring to see an artist take from something and make it their own. Harrington honours Old Masters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt through his work while viewing their influence through a contemporary lens. His innovative fusion of two rarely combined mediums, oil and spray paint, has made him popular among all demographics.
He’s also living proof of how things don’t always go to plan from the outright and how adversity will always come calling at some point in life’s endeavours. His early career showed him struggling with what he saw as an unbridgeable gap between high art and street art. Fast forward to today, and we’re commending him on accomplishing exactly that! Discover how the best women Irish artists have contributed to and shaped the country's artistic landscape.
Bambie Thug: Performance Art Pioneer
If you’re looking for some contemporary artists to inspire you on your journey or even just something to appreciate and marvel at, then Bambie Thug is most certainly it. You likely know the artists as the act that represented the nation in Eurovision. Now, if you know a thing or two about the competition, you’ll know that Ireland has won it more times than any other country and that its success has been a thing of the past. Well, thanks to Bambie Thug, Ireland earned its highest ranking since back in the year 2000!
With Broadway choreographer Matt Williams in their corner, Bambie's developed an artistic language that's as universal as a smile and as unique as a fingerprint. Their super fun and inclusive approach is turning art into a party where everyone's invited. They serve as a great reminder of how art is so much more than merely paint cans and Faber Castle pencils extending to so many other forms.
Tracy White Fitzgerald: Everyday Beauty
If she isn’t already on your radar, we’re glad to have the opportunity to introduce you to Tracy White Fitzgerald. With her art, you’ll find yourself finding beauty in the ordinary. She has a gift for turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary art in our daily lives. We’d all be doing very well if we took a page out of her book and adopted the same lens in our own lives. The genuine focus of her art makes her all the more appealing and accessible, capturing beauty in quiet corners of our everyday world, from kitchen tables to lamp-lit desks.
She may also serve as motivation for those of you who are getting into art at a later stage in life or are still considering getting started. Tracy wasn’t always set on her artistic path and was well into a software development career before she found her way.
Adam Reid: Contemporary Surrealism
As we near the end of our list, you’ll notice that the standard of artists doesn't budge in the slightest. If you’ve ever dabbled in surrealism during any art classes at school or even while sitting in your own home, you’ll appreciate the difficulty of the art form. It always helps to hold your paintings up against the artists to grasp the level of detail and creative vision required to do what they do. If we were to point out one thing that Adam Reid is world-class at, it’s blending abstract and figurative elements in his art.
One of the things so many of us love about art is often, what’s being accomplished extends far beyond what physically lies on the canvas. In the case of Reid, he’s blurring the lines between subject and space. So, whether you're an art aficionado or just along for the ride, Adam Reid's work is proof that Irish art is evolving faster than ever before, adding to the excitement of the current landscape. While many contemporary artists are making waves, it's worth revisiting the Famous Irish artists who paved the way.
Gabhann Dunne: Nature's Storyteller
It might be a good time to remind you that our list follows no particular order. However, this mightn't even be necessary to say, seeing as you could very well flip the list on its head and still not see any discrepancy in the talent featured. Ireland has always had a deep-rooted history when it comes to literature, but few have been able to tell stories through painting quite like Gabhann Dunne.
Dunne's soft colour palettes and thick brushstrokes are like a love letter to the natural world, but don't be fooled – there's a critique hidden in those dreamy landscapes. From "Crossing the Salt" to "In the Presence of Birds," Dunne's exhibitions are like time machines, connecting past and present faster than you can say "ecosystem." No wonder Cristín Leach, whom many of us have often seen in The Sunday Times, called him "one of the best Irish painters of his generation"! With awards piling in and his work gracing collections from Facebook to the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland, Dunne's definitely one to keep an eye on going forward.
Getting Started With Art
Now that you’ve been introduced to some of the greatest contemporary artists in Ireland, you should find yourself with an even higher ceiling of what you imagine is possible. With so many artists pushing the boundaries right here on the Emerald Isle, you’ll be among some elite companies to get started on your artistic quest. Not to mention, you’ll have more than enough places to draw inspiration from no matter what medium or style you prefer to work with.
It’s no wonder the country continues to produce such a high standard of art. Not only do the nations, history, culture and landscapes offer more inspiration than you could ever need, but the country is also becoming more and more diverse. Nowadays, Ireland is home to people from all across the globe, bringing a beautiful fusion of people and cultures, which is certainly evident across many of the works of these contemporary artists.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
