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connor maguire
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Biography
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Connor Maguire was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1977. A former pupil of De La Salle secondary school Connor attained all his exams at GCSE and A-LEVEL and continued on to study at the University of Ulster in Belfast then taking a year away from his studies to work and travel where he spent a period of time in New York working in the United States.
Returning home Connor has now been working steadily as a freelance artist specialising in Illustration, Ceramics, Website design, framing as well as working in every type of medium that is accessible to him in regards of painting and drawing. Connors paintings are inspired from anything ranging from everyday events, personal experiences, friends or family .He also frames and mounts all of his work.
After having his first solo exhibition in the Down Arts Centre in May 2003 he has continued to exhibit taking part in solo and several group shows alongside Irelands most respected artists such as Shawcross, Blackshaw, Carol Graham and many other acclaimed painters recognised throughout Ireland. His work has been praised by collectors and painters alike, one of which lies in the collection of famous artist Jim Fitzpatrick who has worked with established musicians such as Sinead O Connor, Tori Amos and Ash.
Connors work has also been published by a Californian fine art company featuring in a book entitled "Creative minds". Winning the Chairman's award in 2003, Connor has gone on to win the Stephens award, Anne Cheyne award and Carnathan galleries awards amongst others. He is the youngest member to gain membership to the Ulster Watercolour Society and exhibits on an annual basis with his paintings selling in each show.
After exhibiting in Hillsborough Castle he has received a personal letter from Prince Charles of Clarence house congratulating him on his participation and contribution to "The Prince's trust" and success in the art world.
He has produced a limited edition range of work making his images more accessible to the public in the form of greeting cards and limited edition giclee range which are available throughout several retailers in Northern Ireland such as the Wickerman in Belfast and Painted Earth in Newcastle.
In his own words:
"I originally became interested in art at an early age where I would watch my Grandfather sketch and draw out ideas for projects as well as for the mere pleasure of drawing. My Grandfather an accomplished Draughtsman,carpenter, designer and watercolorist introduced me to pencil drawing and charcoal. Inspired and hooked seeing what he could accomplish with a pencil and a paintbrush I too attempted to paint as good as he did. Still trying"
"Over the next year I am hoping to concentrate a lot more on portraiture and introducing more figures into the paintings with a more realistic finish. Perhaps working on a larger scale .Who knows. At the moment I am still experimenting with a lot of different things and searching for what works best. I guess I will just wait and see what happens."
Connors work continues to progress and develop and continues to exhibit in galleries throughout Ireland.
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Statement
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Exhibitions
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Resume
EXHIBITION DATES
Down arts centre ,solo exhibition, Downpatrick- 28th May 2003
Mullans bar ,solo exhibition ,Downpatrick - 14th August 2003
Hillsborough castle - 12th October 2003
The Wickerman ,Belfast- 5th November 2003
Armagh city Hotel - 4th December 2003
Wellington park hotel ,Belfast - 18th February 2004
Holy trinity centre ,Belfast -20th until 21st February 2004
The Tile Refinery gallery , Belfast - 23rd until 28th February 2004
Belfast Harlequins Art Exhibition, Deramore park, Belfast - 21st until 23rd April 2004.
The Tile Refinery gallery - NIVAF exhibition 26th April until 8th May 2004
The John Hewitt ,Donegal street, Belfast-solo exhibition,5th July 2004
Meath & Adelaide hospital, DUBLIN-Group Exhibition,5th October 2004
Ulster Watercolour Society ,Old Belmont school, church road, Belfast ,19th August 2005
Anna Cheyne award ,Civic Arts Centre ,Lisburn ,1st September 2005
Ulster Watercolour society exhibition,Holywood,18th August 2006
Ulster Watercolour society exhibition, Newry arts centre,18th August 2006
UWS -The Gordon gallery -Derry sep 2007
Solo exhibition "A Collection so far"-The Down Arts centre -Downpatrick 8th May 2008
Ulster Watercolour society group show"-The Old Northern Bank building Cathedral quarter -Belfast 29th May 2008
Down Arts Centre Exhibition, Downpatrick, Co.Down, N.Ireland - Nov 2008
Ulster Watercolour Society Exhibition -Letterkenny, Co.Donegal, Republic of Ireland - Nov 2008
Exhibition of Paintings by Northern Ireland Artists - Harlequins, Deramore Park, Belfast, Co. Down , N.Ireland ,7pm 31st March
Ulster Watercolour Society Exhibition -Northern bank building, Donegal street , Belfast ,May 2009
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
UWS -Ulster Watercolour society exhibition-Down Arts Centre , 6th November 2009 - 21st November 2009
Christmas Group Exhibition/Selection Box - Down Arts Centre , Downpatrick, 21st November 2009 - 25th December 2009
Group Exhibition - Red Rag Gallery , Stow in the Wold, Cheltenham , England - 2009
Charity Auction Autumn Ball Exhibition-Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge ,England , 25th September -2009
GALLERIES EXHIBITING
White Image - lisburn road , Hillsborough, Co. Down, N.Ireland
Apollo art gallery - Duke street, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The Yard gallery - Holywood ,Belfast , N.Ireland
The Norman gallery - Wexford, Republic of Ireland
The Old Schoolhouse gallery - Dundrum, N.ireland
The Kenny gallery- Galway, Republic of Ireland
The Red Rag gallery - Stow in the Wold, Cheltenham , England
Lavelle Art Gallery -Clifden , Connemara , Galway, Ireland
The Wickerman - Belfast , N.Ireland
Painted Earth - Newcastle , N.Ireland
ACHIEVEMENTS
Received letter of congratulations from Prince Charles as well as having it published in the Hillsborough Castle exhibition catalogue
Work published by American Art publisher to be featured in book "Creative Minds" December 2004
Awarded membership to the Ulster Watercolour Society August 2004
Work in collection of Island Civic Arts Centre, Lisburn
Work sold to famous Irish artist and collector Jim Fitzpatrick
Northern Ireland Pure Home Magazine feature July 2008 issue
Irish News Full featured interview by Jenny Lee 10/05/08
Interview by Culture Northern Ireland 15/05/08
Interview by Marie Louise Muir BBC Radio Ulster 07/06/08
Tiger Aspect Productions using paintings as back set for BBC programme "MEGANANNY-Undercover Dads" to be featured on Sunday morning television beginning in July 2009
AWARDS
Awarded Down Chairman's Award March 2003
Awarded F.B Steven award August 2005
Awarded Anna Cheyne award September 2005
Awarded Carnathan Galleries award ,UWS August 2006
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