As a former graffiti artist, John O’Reilly’s early subjects included restricted areas he often painted graffiti in, especially abandoned sites and the railway. His work continues to consider the urban landscape, presenting banal and marginal exterior spaces in subdued palettes. Describing pedestrian walks around monolithic infrastructures designed to accommodate vehicles, with their collages of everchanging urban textures through human activity, grime and light. Contact: info@johnoreillyart.com
Photo by Rosie Barrett
Awards
2024
Per Cent for Arts Scheme, Dublin.
2022
Arts Council Agility Award.
2021
Dublin Port Pumphouse Bursary.
2020
Arts Council Visual Artist Bursary.
2015
Residency Fellowship, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Co. Mayo.
2013
Albert Cottages Artist Residency, DCC, Dublin.
2012
Artist in Residence, Draíocht, Dublin.
2010
Per Cent for Arts Scheme, Tralee, Co.Kerry.
Solo Exhibitions
2023
'Dublin Port 2021-2023', Axis Ballymun, Dublin.
2020
'Monolith', Irish Architectural Archive, Dublin.
2018
'Under the Sun', Red Stables, Dublin.
2012
'Transient', Draiocht, Dublin.
2009
'Pastoral City', Talbot Gallery & Studios, Dublin.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025
British Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London.
2025
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin.
2025
An Tain, Dundalk.
2024
SEASONAL COLOUR 24, Taylor Galleries, Dublin.
2024-2020
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin.
2023
British Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London.
2023
‘Habitats & Heritage’, London.
2023
'Grit between my teeth', Atelier Now, Dublin.
2023
‘New Acquisitions’, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Co. Mayo.
2022
‘Rally’, Glovebox, Trinity St. Car-Park, Dublin.
2022
‘Paipear’, Hang Tough Contemporary, Dublin.
2022
‘Do You Dream?’ – The Space Between, Dublin.
2021
‘Outbuilding’, Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
2021
‘Antiquity and the Anthropocene’, UCD, Dublin.
2020
RUA Winter Exhibition, Dublin.
2020
‘Unseen’, Artcore Gallery, Derby, U.K.
2019
‘That Space Between’, Duo Exhibition with James Kirwan. VR & Spray-paint works, The Space Between, Dublin.
2019
‘Folklore’, Damn Fine Print, Dublin.
2019
“In Response”, Two Birds Gallery, Seville, Spain.
2018-2008
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin.
2017–2009
Jonathan Swift Gallery, Kilkenny, Wexford, Belfast.
2015
RUA Annual Exhibition, Belfast.
2014
‘End of the Line’, Mabos, Dublin.
2013
‘Albert College Park’, with composer Abigail Smith, The Lab, Dublin.
2011
‘Roadworks’, Dublin Contemporary, Dublin.
2011
‘Gurriers’, Block T, Dublin.
2010
‘Irish Wave’, Beijing, China.
2010
‘Show Off’, OFFSET, Dublin.
2009
‘After Dark’, RHA, Dublin.
2009
‘Reading the City’, EV+A, Limerick.
2009
‘Town & Country’, Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin.
2007
Duo Exhibition with Maser, Filmbase, Dublin.
2007
‘Burquitlim’, Vancouver, Canada.
Selected Projects
2019
Eleven works for private commission, Hang Tough Gallery, Dublin.
2019
Four works for private commission, Iverna, Dublin.
2017
Mural & Presentation, ‘Vermeer, and the Masters of Genre Painting’, National Gallery of Ireland.
2018-2015
Education projects, National Gallery of Ireland.
2014
Six works for private commission, Iverna, Dublin.
2014
Red Square Project, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny.
2014-2013
Artist in Residence, Mabos, Dublin.
2011
Dublin Contemporary “Roadworks”.
elected Talks
2022
‘Do You Dream?”, panel discussion, The Space Between, Dublin.
2022
‘The allure of Car Parks”, Glovebox, Dublin.
2021
‘Antiquity & the Anthropocene’, UCD, Dublin.
2021
‘Outbuilding’, Source Arts Centre, Co. Tipperary.
2017
‘Vermeer & the Masters of Genre Painting’, National Gallery of Ireland.
Collections
OPW State Art Collection, Ireland.
Dublin Port, Ireland.
Balinglen Arts Foundation Collection, Ireland.
Private Collections in Ireland, UK, Germany, Canada, and USA.
Other
2003-1993
Graffiti Artist.