Brian Byrne
Brian Byrne
Brian trained in NCA and NCAD. During the 80’s and 90’s he was a gallery artist with the Oriel gallery in Dublin. During this time he exhibited in the annual RHA and Oireachtas exhibitions. In 1999 and 2000, he had solo shows in the International Visions gallery in Washington DC, Orla Celtic Art in NY city and the Templeton Collection in Atlanta Georgia, followed by an artist residency in Cill Rialaig. In 2004 he retired as an art teacher from the VEC. Brian had solo shows in an Grianain Letterkenny and an Gaileria gallery Gaoth Dobhair.
“The painting process for me is, primarily instantaneous and immediate in its function. Observation is important. I don’t make notes as to colour or drawing references etc. I tend to absorb the images in the hope that they will “ pop up”, when required. I do not make preliminary sketches, as they can “sap” the energy from the painting process. I am therefore, obliged to hone my observational skills, which hopefully I have done over 50 years. The immediacy of the application of the first marks, are paramount. Once a momentum is achieved, the painting will create its own rhythm. The interruption of this rhythm will terminate the painting process. The actual point of interruption will determine the quality of the work. So the burning question is......”when is it finished”? Brian Byrne
