Overview

Richard Hearns paints in the wild landscape of The Burren Country National Park in County Clare, Ireland. Each painting is an extension of his physical surroundings - earth, sea and sky - materialising the artist’s experiences and memories of colour and natural phenomena. Born in Beirut and raised in Ireland, Hearns is deeply aware of the unique cultural backgrounds of both aspects of his heritage. Articulated in his abstract paintings, his experiences and connections with the traditions of these separate locations and cultures combine to form a triangular history. He endeavours to express his understandings of exploration, discovery and identity through the medium of paint. 

'My dual heritage has greatly influenced and inspired my paintings. The Irish have always had an outward looking perspective and a unique identity in the world. Likewise, throughout history, the Lebanese people have covered great expanses in order to explore, learn, trade and grow.'

Hearns's paintings document a search for an idyll. Meditative layers are applied in a physical expression of form drawn from the rhythmic nature of rural life. His work is palpably physical: marks are an extension of his arm, the canvases mirror his height, and his energy is channelled through the brush onto the canvas. The exuberant colours of his works express his experiences of nature and its intensity, inviting the viewer to participate in this celebration of memory, colour and form. Only an allusion to landscape, Hearns's raw, indecipherable marks drive the composition to the edge of the canvas creating a distinct language of undulation, recession and space. 

 

Works
Exhibitions
Studio shots
Publications
Video


Biography

Having studied in Dublin at The Institute of Art, Design and Technology and The National College of Art and Design, Richard's talent for drawing and line work led to a keen interest in observational painting. Though executed in a variety of media, his works are primarily oil based. In more recent years, Richard has turned his attention to abstract painting. These works have brought an entirely new discipline and challenge to his practice. Richard has been exhibiting for over a decade and, to date, has had solo shows in Dublin, London, Paris, Barcelona, Los Angeles and New York. His work can be found in important collections around the globe.

 

 
Education 
2004   H DIP Art Craft and Design Education NCAD.
2002   BFA Fine Art Interdisciplinary Digital Media IADT.
2001   DIPLOMA Fine Art Interdisciplinary Digital Media IADT.

 

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023   'Sheshia Retrospective', Clare, Ireland
2022   'Nomad', Cadogan Gallery, London
2021  

'Enclave', Cadogan Gallery, London

2018  

'The Cardinal's Portrait', The Sheen Centre for Thought and Culture, New York

2014   'Raw/Cooked: Last of the Summer Mackerel', Galerie La Cornue, Paris
2012    'Paintings by Richard Hearns', Offices of the Cardinal of New York, New York
2007   'Towards an Island', Wonksiri Gallery, Koh Mak, Trad Provience, Thailand

 

Selected Group Exhibitions
2022   Sotheby's New Bond Street Galleries, London
2022   'Groundzero360', Houston Baptist Universty, Houston, Texas
2017   ‘Iomramh’, Espronceda Center for Arts and Culture, Barcelona
2014   'Kunstler International Symposium: Group Exhibition', Villa Bohm, Neustradt an der Weinstrasse, Germany.
2013   VUE, Royal Hibernian Academy, Gallagher Gallery, 15 Ely Place, Dublin 

 

Artist Residencies and Awards 
2015   Assistant to Associate Professor of Abstract Painting at the Kunstakademie, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
    Selected to present work to the Prince of Wales on behalf of the Burren College of Art and NUI Galway
    Artist in residence, Nave 12, Barcelona, Spain
2014   International Artist Symposium, City of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany
2012   The Art Students League of New York, USA
2011   Artist in residence, Custom House Studios, Westport Quay, Co. Mayo
    Fingal County Enterprise Board, Export Grant Initiative Award
    Officially sponsored by Richard Oliver Fine Art Brushes, Ireland
2009/10   Artist in residence, Cill Rialaig Foundation, Bolas Head, Co. Kerry.
2008   Artist in residence, The Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.
2006   Artist in residence, The Mantua Art Project, Mantua Co. Roscommon.

 

 Collections
Irish State Collection
Galgorm Group, N. IRE
St Patrick's Cathedral, NYC
Naomi House Children's Hospice, UK
Aston Wealth Management, IRE
ITC company, IRE
SEPIL, IRE
Press