About me

I am a visual artist working in a wide range of mediums, from oil paint to mixed media and print. The core of what I do is presenting a reflection of our life’s navigation and how it transforms us during our procession. Whether I am drawing defined perspective lines or geometric quagmires, I am always looking for the next pathway to re-imagine.

The inspiration for my art often comes from my many travels and adventures around the world. During these journeys I document my experiences through notebooks and photographs, always seeking to remind myself of the transpired moments. Later in the studio, I experiment with drawing and mixed media to conjure up memories in which to make new artwork.

I am an Irish artist currently living and working in Drogheda. I received a BA in fine Art (HETAC – Ireland) and a Post Graduate Degree in Education in Art & Design (NCAD – Ireland). I have exhibited both nationally and internationally including Droichead Arts Centre – Ireland, Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery – Ireland, South Tipperary Arts Centre – Ireland and Galerie De Wandelgangen – Belgium. My work is represented in private and public collections both in Ireland and Belgium. I have received awards from Create Louth, Creative Ireland and the Arts Council of Ireland in recent years.

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Declan Kelly
E-mail: declanpbkelly@gmail.com

2014

National College of Art and Design, Dublin
PDE in Art & Design

2011

Higher Education and Training Awards Council, Ireland
Honours Degree in Art

2003 – 2006

Institute of Technology, Sligo
Degree in Fine Arts

2002 – 2003

Drogheda College for Further Education FETAC Certificate in Art

2021

The plinth, biannual exhibition, SMAK, Ghent, Belgium

2020

Connections, mural and live performance as part of a group exhibition, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda

2018

Printworks, Selected group exhibition, Curated by Dorothy Smith, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Ireland

2016

Traces and Treks, Joint Exhibition with Antonio López, Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, County Clare
On the way/ Onderweg, Joint exhibition with Els Borghart, Basement Gallery, Dundalk, Ireland
Ithaca, Joint exhibition with Declan Kelly, South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel, Ireland
Annual Exhibition, Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast, Northern Ireland

2015

In: Transit, Solo Exhibition, Toradh Gallery, County Meath
Onderweg/ On the way, Joint Exhibition with Els Borghart, Galerie De Wandelgangen, Nevele, Belgium

2012

Unified, Selected Group Show of 4 artists, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Ireland

2010

Winter Group Show, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Ireland
The Scintilla of Lore, Nexus Arts @ Drogheda Arts Festival, Drogheda, Ireland
Nexus Art Project 3, Nexus Arts, Drogheda, Ireland
Nexus Art Project 2, Nexus Arts, Drogheda, Ireland
Nexus Art Project 1, Nexus Arts, Drogheda, Ireland

2008

Open Ateliers # 7 with Els Borghart, Nucleo, Ghent, Belgium

2006

Graduating Exhibition, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland

2023, Arts Council, Agility Award
2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, Create Louth, Arts Act Grant
2022, Theatre Bursary with Els Borghart, Arts Council of Ireland
2022, Louth Culture Quest commission, An Táin Arts Centre and Arts Council of Ireland
2021, Arts Council, Agility Award
2020, Arts Council, COVID-19 Crisis Response Award
2020, Creative Ireland Community Grant Fund, with artist Els Borghart and Drogheda youth Development
2019, de:LUX Commission, Púca Festival
2019, Púca Festival Commission for Drogheda, with artist Declan Kelly, Púca Festival
2019, Winner of the Drogheda Arts Festival Commission, with artist Els Borghart, Drogheda Arts Festival
2018, Green Fleadh Cheoil Public Art Commission, with artist Els Borghart, Louth County Council
2018, Creative Ireland Community Grant Fund
2014, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary Award, Create Louth
2013, Awarded tax-exempt status, Revenue Commissioners
2013, Arts Council, Visual Arts Curator Residency Award with NeXus Arts
2012, Arts Council, Travel & Training Award
2009, Drogheda Borough Council

Meath County Arts Collection
Louth County Arts Collection

2022, Professional summer artist residency, Arteventura, Spain
2021, Professional artist residency programme, Arteventura, Spain
2019, Visual artist residency, Arteventura, Spain
2016, 1 week residency, Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Ireland
2016, Shortlisted for SIM, Iceland
2016, Shortlisted for Ragdale, USA
2015, 3 residencies of 1 week, Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Ireland
2015, 2 week residency, Cill Rialaig Project, Ballinskelligs, Ireland
2012, 6 week residency with Nucleo vzw together with artist Els Borghart, Belgium
2005, Erasmus exchange programme at LUCA School of Arts in, Ghent, Belgium