Wexford (Gorey) based painter Paul McCloskey originally from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan attended the National College of Art and Design (N.C.A.D) Dublin and also De Montfort University UK where he received a Master’s Degree in Fine art (MFA) in 2010. In 2021/22 Paul completed the Turps London CC art course. He has been involved in visual art education for over 30 years.
Paul is a professional member of ‘visual artists Ireland’. He has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally throughout the UK, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Venice, Paris, Macedonia, Bulgaria and New York.
His work is held in many collections including OPW State art collection, the Osten Art collection, Gallery of Drawing Macedonia, Monaghan and Wexford county council collections, Ulster Hospital Belfast, Monaghan VEC, RTE, Irish Bank of Commerce, Kavanagh Heritage Centre, Smurfit art collection as well as numerous private collections.
He was the 2016 recipient of the special award by the international jury at the Osten Biennial of Drawing/Works on paper in Skopje, Macedonia where five of his works now form a permanent part of the 'World Gallery Of Drawing Collection' of the Museum of Drawing/Works on Paper. He was one of 13 artists shortlisted for the ‘London Contemporary Art Award’ 2018 where he was awarded the 'materials bursary award'.
Paul received Arts Council funding in 2021 and 2022 in support of his current series of paintings ‘Meabhraíocht - Lessons from A Hedgerow’ some of which can be seen HEREas well as bursaries from Arts Links Wexford and Monaghan Co. Council on a number of occasions.
Paul’s work is included in many important publications including ‘Art Talk Collective’, ‘Artmoire’, Italy, USA, 'The Contemporary Art Review' UK, ‘ART QA’ New York, ‘Creative Quarterly’ – The Journal of Art and Design, New York, ‘Gallery and Studio’ Visual Art Magazine, New York as well as two books on ‘The State of Art ‘ UK, Landscape and 3d and ‘EXHIBEO’ ‘Selected Art Reviews and Interviews' - vol. 1' -Jonathan Raddatz – Quebec.
Paul’s visual influence is drawn from his surroundings, landscape, imagination, memories and emotions, these influnces are primarily a catalyst for expressing connection to divinity and are therefore secondary to this expression, the primary purpose being process, allowing, presence and place. The practice of allowing and presence throughout the creative process is a catharsis, deliverance from the egoic mind, a meditation in present moment practice. Click HERE for full CV. Paul has work in the following collections:
OPW (office of public works) state art collection Ulster Hospital Belfast
Monaghan County Council, art collection.
Wexford County Council, art collection.
OSTEN Art Collection, World Gallery Of Drawing, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Smurfit Collection
Irish Bank of Commerce
Monaghan VEC
Kavanagh Heritage Centre, Monaghan
RTE
Connemara design centre
Ashfield College, Dublin
Civic Centre, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
As well as numerous private collections throughout the country.
Selected Exhibitions: Current/Recent/Upcoming
Current Solo Exhibition 4th November - 5th January 2025 - Réalta, The National Body for Arts + Health in Ireland Centre for Arts + Health University Hospital Waterford
Cairde Visual 2024 (Open) - Saturday July 6th @ Hamilton Gallery and will run Mon to Sat until Sat July 27th
'Meabhraíocht - Lessons from A Hedgerow' Jan 27th - Feb 24th 2024- Laneway Gallery, Cork. (Solo Exhibition)
Abstract 2022 - open - Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK – 25th March – 9th April June 20 to July 20 - 2021 - The MANCHESTER 2020 Visions Exhibition - Deansgate Gallery and Barton Arcade, Brick Factory Exhibition.
2018/19 – ‘1 FT SQ' - Strule Arts Centre, Omagh - 14 December 2018 – 12 January 2019 Selector’s:Ciara Hambly / Hambly & Hambly Gallery Enniskillen. Paul McKenna / McKenna Gallery Omagh.
2018/19 - 'Open Submission' - Dunamaise Arts Centre - Thursday 22 November to Saturday 5 January, Guest Selector: Claire Behan.
2018 - Store Gallery London. 'London Contemporary Art Prize' finalists - July/August
2017 - GOMA Gallery of Modern Art, Waterford, Annual Juried Group Exhibition - 17th August – 23rd September
2016 – 18th October – EWAA...East, West Art Award, Shortlisted/Finalists’ Exhibition. La Galleria, Pall Mall, London.
2016 - 22nd September – 27th October – EXHIBITION of the AWARDED ARTISTS of the OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING/Works on Paper, World Gallery of Drawing - Skopje, Macedonia.
2016 - OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING/WORKS ON PAPER (5 works) Skopje 2016 March –August.
2016 – ‘ESCAPE’ - (Curated by Michelle de Forge - Artists - Cecilia Danell, Lelia Henry, Rosemary Langtry, Paul McCloskey, Maria O'Brien, Emily Rainsford and Edward White. Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise IRL. 23rd June - 31st July 2016
2015 – LONDON CALLING 015 - 22nd - 25th October -one of thirty international artists selected to exhibit at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank London this October. Selected jointly by 'LONDON CALLING 015' and 'ART NOW/ARTISTS FAIR LONDON'.
2015 – August -International Exhibition of Contemporary Art - VENEZIA ’15 Grand’ Art, Gallery of the Art Centre San Vidal - Scoletta San Zaccaria, Venice, Italy.
2015 -6th - 31st July - 'THE OMEGA 3d'- (Solo exhibition) - The Alley Theatre/Arts Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone
2014 – September, ‘Little Kingdoms’, Catalyst Arts Gallery, Belfast.
2014 -'Enniskillen Visual Arts Open' international exhibition, The Higher Bridges Gallery, Clinton Centre,Co. Fremanagh. 11th September 2014 - 11th October.
2014 - 'Signal Open' Exhibition, Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Co.Wicklow - 6th - 17th August.
2011/13 - '1st - 3rd Splash Art Festival' Back Loft, La Cathedral Studios, Dublin (Invited Artist)
2013 – September 19th – 23rd October – ‘Ireland in our eyes’, London Irish Centre, Camden Sq, London.
2013 – “Clouds” – International Exhibition Of Contemporary Art - August (2013) - Centro Storico /The Palazzo Ca' Zanardi, Venice, Italy.
2013 – July 25th - Sept' 10th - 2013 - ‘The Story of the Creative’, (invited artist) See | Exhibition space, 26-19 Jackson Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 New York.
2013 – ‘Awakenings Reloaded’ - Market House Arts Centre, Monaghan Town. (Arts Council Ireland and Monaghan Co. Council) (Solo show)
2011/12/13 -THE SCOOP Contemporary art exhibition. Mealy's/Centre for Creative Practices.
2011 – 'Harvest' – Hive Gallery and Studios – Waterford – Open Submission.
2011 – 'Pink Pink Pink' - Mad Art gallery and Studios-Dublin- Open submission.
