About the Artist
Michael Herlihy is a contemporary fine artist based in Dublin, Ireland, whose work bridges the traditions of European oil painting with a distinctly modern sensibility. His practice centers on the exploration of light, atmosphere, and the quiet drama of everyday scenes.
After completing his MFA at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Herlihy returned to Ireland where he established his studio practice. His work has been exhibited internationally, from group shows at the Tate Modern to solo exhibitions in New York and Paris.
Working primarily in oils and mixed media, Herlihy's technique combines classical glazing methods with contemporary approaches to color and composition. Each piece emerges from an extended process of observation, sketching, and layered painting — often over the course of several months.
Exhibitions & Education
Solo Exhibition — "Luminance"
Gagosian Gallery, New York
Group Show — "New Perspectives"
Tate Modern, London
Artist Residency
Villa Medici, Rome
MFA Fine Arts
Royal Academy of Arts, London
First Solo Exhibition — "Origins"
White Cube, London
BFA Fine Arts
National College of Art & Design, Dublin
Artist Statement
I paint because I believe there is still something profoundly important about the act of looking — really looking — at the world around us. In an age of digital saturation, the slow, deliberate process of painting offers a counterpoint: a space for contemplation, discovery, and emotional truth.
My work draws from the landscape of the Irish west coast, the interiors of quiet rooms, and the fleeting quality of natural light. I am interested in capturing not just what is seen, but the feeling of seeing — the way a certain slant of afternoon light can transform a familiar space into something extraordinary.
Through layers of oil paint and pigment, I seek to create surfaces that reward close attention — works that reveal their depth gradually, mirroring the patience required to truly observe the world.