Born in Dublin 1963, Padraig is a self taught artist. His paintings explore the rich landscapes and coastlines of the west of Ireland and can be found in many private collections throughout Ireland, England and America.
‘’Like many artists before me that have been held spellbound by the beauty of the west of Ireland, I believe there is a special energy deeply rooted in the landscape of the west. It is that which I aim to capture in my paintings.
My paintings are inspired and influenced by the Irish landscape paintings of Paul Henry and John Luke, as well as contemporary artists such as Donald Teskey. A love of strong, vibrant colours has been inspired by artists such as Norah McGuiness and French artist Claude Idlas.
There is a simple beauty in the silent, stone farmhouses that are found along the west coast of Ireland. The peeling whitewash, the cracked walls, give these old buildings each their own character, while the twin chimneys, one at each gable end, give them their unique, distinctive look.
They have become part of the fabric of the countryside, in tune with the land they rest on, sympathetic to their surroundings. And that is how I try to capture them, as another element of the landscape alongside the changing skies, the rolling fields and bogs, the mountains and the seas.
But there is a sadness and a loneliness about them too.
These old houses have borne witness to over 100 years of Irish emigration. Like Sentinels standing guard, they look out to sea, watching yet another generation of Irish men, women and children emigrate in search of work and a better life. Waiting quietly for their return.
Solo exhibitions
Sentinels – The Doorway Gallery, Dublin 2011
COAST – Dalkey Heritage Centre, Dublin, 2010
Landscapes – The Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford 2010
The Light Of Which I Speak, The Bad Art Gallery, Dublin 2009
Living Colours, Cork and Kerry, The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co.Cork 2007
From Clare to Here. Lahinch Art Gallery, Lahinch,Co.Clare 2007
The West of Ireland - Land, Sea and Sky, The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Cork 2006
The Blue Loft Gallery, Dublin 2007 (2 person show with Axel Rothoux)
Selected group shows
Wexford FRINGE, Whites Hotel 2009, 2010
Fine Art Ireland, Belfast, 2009, 2010
Red Rag Gallery, Gloucestershire, UK 2008 - 2011
The Blue Loft Gallery, Dublin 2007, 2008, 2009
The Bad Art Gallery, Dublin 2007, 2008, 2009
Lahinch Art Gallery, Co.Clare, 2008, 2009, 2010
Clifden Art Gallery, Connemara, 2009, 2010
Dalkey Arts Gallery, Dublin 2008
ScotlandArt.com, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2007,2008
The Hungry Hill Gallery, Cork, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Christmas Group Show, Munster Fine Art gallery, 2006, 2007
Spring/Summer Show, Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achill, Co. Mayo, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Summer Show, OSB Gallery, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow 2005
Art on the Green, Stephen’s Green , Dublin
Collections
Embassy of Cyprus, Washington, USA
Embassy of France, Dublin, Ireland
private collections – Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, USA.
Media
RTE Nationwide, 2010 – Featured artist on Irish national TV show
The Dubliner Magazine, 2011 – Review of solo exhibition “Sentinels”
artist residencies
Heinrich Boll Cottage, Achill – 2007
Exhibitions include:
2006 West of Ireland – Land, Sea and Sky,
The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Cork
2006 Art Ireland, RDS, Dublin
2006 Christmas Group Show, The Bad Art Gallery, Dublin
2006 Christmas Group Show, Munster Fine Art Gallery
2006 Spring/Summer Show, Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Mayo
2005 Spring/Summer Show, Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Mayo
2005 Art Ireland, RDS, Dublin
2005 Summer Show, OSB Gallery, Enniskerry, Wicklow
2004 Art Ireland, RDS, Dublin
2004 Art in the Green, Dublin
Collections:
Embassy of Cyprus - Washington, USA
Private collection - Ireland, England, France, Canada, USA
Artist Redidencies:
Heinrich Boll Cottage, Achill - 2007
