Two Paintings selected for the Royal Ulster Academy 2017
Very fortunate to have been selected to exhibit in the Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster museum in 2017. This is the third time I’ve had the opportunity to exhibit in this prestigious exhibition which is always a fantastic feeling when you get told your work is accepted.
Not so fantastic when you get those rejections which I have had my fair share off so over joyed getting two pieces in this year after submitting three. The first piece I have ever been selected for in the RUA exhibition was in 2013 where my woodcut print entitled “Belfast Life” was selected to go on display followed by my oil painting entitled “Office Worker” which was on show last year being 2016.
Pictured above is my oil painting entitled, “Barry” which was selected to go on show in the Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster museum in Belfast 2017.
This is a portrait of a friend called “Barry McKenna” who I’ve known from my school days.He is as an exceptionally talented tattoo artist being part of the finest tattoo family in Northern Ireland working with Chris Crooks in his White Dragon Tattoo studios located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
This painting was also shortlisted for the BP Portrait award exhibition held in the National gallery of London which is the worlds largest and most prestigious contemporary portrait show, so was really fortunate to make it through to the final round of judging. This painting was completed in oils on canvas sized at 50cm x 50cm and framed in a hand made oak wood float frame.
Pictured above is my oil painting entitled, “Lady with a secret” which was selected to go on show in the Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster museum in Belfast 2017. Completed in oils and gold leaf on wood sized at 25x30cm presented in a hand crafted oak float frame.
Pictured above is my painting entitled “Office Worker” which was exhibited in the Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster museum, Belfast 2016. Friend of mine called Jason McGrugan kindly posed for this painting after I asked him if he would be willing to work with me regarding an idea I had. He seemed perfect for this.
Oil on linen sized at 75cm x 120cm framed in an open float frame.
Pictured above is my woodcut print entitled “Belfast Life” which was exhibited in the Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster museum, Belfast 2013. This print was also exhibited in the Mall Galleries in London in association with the Artists & Illustrators magazine Artist of the year Competition 2017 where I previously was shortlisted artist of the year.
I was fortunate to also win the West Dean College Art Award in this exhibition giving me the opportunity to study under Harry Brockway who is member of The Society of Wood Engravers since 1984 and an associate member of The Royal Society of Painter Printmakers and Engravers since 2007. Woodcut print sized 30cm x 30cm
Check out the wonderful video below made by northern visions television company featuring the RUA president Dr.Denise Ferran providing a great insight as to how the Royal Ulster Academy chooses and exhibits the work for display in the Ulster museum in Belfast.
Behind The Scenes at the RUA from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo.