Page 100 - Winter Issue

Paul McCloskey

Paul's visual influence is drawn from his surroundings, landscape, imagination, memories, and
emotions, these influences 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 ego mind, a meditation in present moment practice.
The varied and stunning Irish landscape, coupled with our unsettled weather and therefore often
fleeting and mottled right, inspires him greatly. Often a view will change or an area will be illuminated
by a simple break in the clouds, highlighting a shimmering treasure or jewel, a corner of a field, the
side of some rocky cliff, or the connection to a whole. Effectively, this encourages us to see and most
importantly feel its beauty and spirit therefore reconnecting to this vital part of us.
The Suggestion of heaven and earth in constant struggle, merging yet separable, solid yet amorphous
all suggest the multidimensional nature of spirituality, the beginning and the end, the alpha and
omega, the struggle within, between the conditioned soul and the divine/spiritual self.
Wexford, Ireland (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 the OPW (Office of Public Works) 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 (Agility award) in 2021 and
2022 in support of his practice, as well as bursaries from Arts Links Wexford and Monaghan Co.
Council on several occasions.
Paul’s work is included in many important publications including ‘Art Talk Collective’, ‘Artmoire’, in Italy,
and the USA, 'The Contemporary Art Review' UK, ‘ART QA’ in New York, ‘Creative Quarterly’ – In 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.

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