Biography

Eamon Colman was born in Dublin in 1957. He is an elected member of Aosdána since 2007 in recognition of his major contribution to Irish culture. His professional career spans from 1979, having created nearly forty solo exhibitions presented nationally and internationally. In 1997, he was invited to host a major mid-term retrospective exhibition of his work entitled ‘Post Cards Home’ at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin at the age of 39 years. This was accompanied by a monograph on his work by writer and art critic Brian Mc Avera entitled ‘Dreams from The Lion’s Head, The Work of Eamon Colman’ published by Four Fields Press. A 25-year retrospective of his work is featured in a substantial publication by Gandon Editions, Kinsale: ‘Profile 25 – Eamon Colman’ (2006). In 1989, he won the First Prize Painting Award in EVA International; in 2001 First Prize Painting Award in Eigse, Carlow Arts Festival; in 2002, he was the first Irish artist to be awarded Full Fellowship Award from the Vermont Studio Centre, USA; in 2005, he won a CCAT Interreg Major Award for touring an exhibition in Wales, UK and in 2018 he was awarded a Culture Ireland GB18 Award. His work has been included in exhibitions representing contemporary Irish art in Brussels, Denmark, France, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Canada and USA. His work can be viewed in his representative gallery: Solomon Fine Art, Balfe Street, Dublin 2.

Eamon Colman in his studion

CurriculumVitae

Chronology
1957Born Dublin
1993-1995Chairperson, The Artist Association of Ireland
1993-1996Board Member of The Sculptors Society of Ireland
1995-2000President, The European Council of Artists
2000-2004Board Member of The Butler Gallery Kilkenny
2007Elected Member of Aosdána

Solo Exhibitions
2020The Width of Yourself, Solomon Fine Art, Dublin
2019The Width of Yourself, Solas Art Gallery, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim (invited)
2019Double Vision, Eamon Colman and Blaise Smith, Kilkenny Arts Festival (two-person exhibition)
2018Thaw, Oriel Q (Queens Hall Gallery), Narberth, Wales, UK (part of Culture Ireland GB18 programme)
2018Mark Making, Eamon Colman and Gary Robinson, Claremorris Gallery, Co. Mayo (two-person exhibition)
2017Thinking-In-Movement, Stern Studio Gallery, Vienna, Austria
2015Walking at three miles per hour, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, 19th July through to 30th August
2014Panorama: A Review, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
2014Scattered Showers, Christchurch Gallery, Triskel Arts Center, Cork
2012There is no season for margins, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin
2011Monument, Stern Studio Gallery, Vienna, Austria, invited
2010Before the dark gets stronger than the light, RUA RED, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 – invited
2010What is real or actual, everything or nothing, Oriel Queens Hall Gallery, Narberth, South Wales
2008Remnant, Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, Webster University, St Louis, USA
2008Vantage, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin – catalogue
2007Breath of the River, Galeri Caernarfon Cyf, Wales
2006Between Bog and a Sagging Wall, Vangard Gallery, Cork
2006Knot of Souls, South Tipperary Arts Center, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
2006Salt River, St. David’s University, Lampeter, Wales
2006Salt River, Oriel Queens Hall Gallery, Wales
2006Salt River, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin
2004Africa 22º – 35º S, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin (limited edition artist’s book)
2002Walking Vermont, Vermont Studio Centre USA (catalogue)
2002Vangard Gallery, Cork
2000Rain on Water, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin
1999Frederickshaven, Denmark
1998Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Palais des Congres, Lorient France
1998River Walk, Vangard Gallery, Cork
1997Post Cards Home, R H A Gallagher Gallery, Dublin (monograph)
1996Digging for Pearls, Rubicon Gallery Dublin
1995Digging for Pearls, Driochead Arts Centre, Drogheda
1994Home of the Snake King, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin
1992Islands, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin
1991One man show, Sligo Arts Week, Sligo
1990India, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin
1990Dreams from the Lions Head, Rubicon Gallery Dublin
1998Solo Exhibition Monaghan County Museum
1984Grafton Gallery, Dublin
1982Tulfarris Gallery, Wicklow
1980Tulfarris Gallery, Wicklow

Selected Group Exhibitions
2020Solomon Fine Art, Dublin
2019Solomon Fine Art, Dublin
2019Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, RHA Gallery, Dublin
2019VUE Irish Contemporary Art Fair, RHA Gallery, Dublin
2019Nineteen Hundred & Nineteen, Hamilton Gallery, Sligo; Irish Consulate, New York, USA
2019Boyle Arts Festival, Co. Roscommon
2018Solomon Fine Art, Dublin
2018Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, RHA Gallery, Dublin
2018VUE Irish Contemporary Art Fair, RHA Gallery, Dublin
2018Boyle Arts Festival, Co. Roscommon
2016Catherine Hammond Gallery, West Cork (invited)
2015Eigse Arts Festival, VISUAL, Carlow
2015Boyle Arts Festival, Roscommon (invited)
2015Impressions of WB Yeats, Hamilton Gallery, Sligo (invited)
2014Hillsboro Fine Art, Christmas Exhibition 2014, Dublin
2014VUE, Irish Contemporary Irish Art Fair, RHA Gallery, October 30th – Novemrber 2nd
2014Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh, Mid Summers Exhibtion
2013VUE, Irish Contemporary Irish Art Fair, RHA Gallery
2102The Good Children Gallery, New Orleans, USA (three person exhibition)
2011RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin – invited
2011Boyle Arts Festival, Co. Roscommon – invited
2010Kilkenny Arts Festival – strand 2, invited
2010Boyle Arts Festival (invited)
2009Fís, invited curator NOVAS Liverpool, UK
2008Fís, invited artist – part of Liverpool Capital of Culture, UK
2007Colour Fields, Draíocht Arts Center, Dublin (invited)
2007Nicholas Gallery, Belfast (invited, catalogue)
2007RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
2007Art Miami, Hillsboro Fine Art, USA
2006RHA Banquet Exhibition (invited)
2005Eigse, Carlow
2005RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
2005Boyle Arts Festival
2005Wexford Arts Festival
2005Kilcock Art Gallery
2005Nicholas Art Gallery, Belfast
2005Amber Arts Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland
2004Eigse, Carlow
2004RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
2004Irish Art, Angera Italy, to coincide with Irish Presidency
2004Grand Gala, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin
2004Christmas Exhibition Hillsboro Fine Art
2003RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
2003Greenacres Gallery, Wexford Opera Festival
2003Eigse, Carlow
2003Kilkenny Arts Festival, Fringe
2002Eigse, Carlow
2001Eigse, Carlow
2000Aer Rianta, Dublin Airport
1998Dye House Gallery, Waterford
1997Small Works, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin
1997Landscape & Recollection, The Ballinglen Experience, RHA Gallery
1996Irish Art, Dillon Gallery , London
1996RHA Annual Exhibition , Dublin
1995Irish Art, Singapore
1995Irish Life Mall, Dublin
1995Civic Forum, Barcelona, Spain
1995RHA Annual Exhibition Dublin
1994Banquet, Exhibition , RHA Galllagher Gallery Dublin
1994An t-Oireachtas, Guinness Hops Store, Dublin
1994Iontas, Sligo Art Gallery & RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin
1994Irish Artists, Donal / Maxwell, Philadelphia USA
1993Monaghan Arts Centre, Monaghan Open
1993Irish showcase Exhibition, Hong Kong
1993Touchstone Gallery, Hong Kong
1992RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
1992Contemporary Irish Art Society Exhibition, Hugh Lane Municipal
1992Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin
1991RHA annual Exhibition, Dublin
1991RHA Banquet Exhibition, Dublin
1991Boyle Arts Week, Roscommon
1990Images from Ireland, Brussels
1990European Artist of Promise, Brussels
1990Echoes, Rue de Spa, Brussels
1990RHA Banquet Exhibition, Dublin (invited)
1988Claremorris Open, Mayo
1988Celtic Vision, Bank of Ireland, Dublin
1988An t-Oireachtas Exhibition, Dublin
1988EV&A Limerick
1988Open Circle, Scotland
1988De Bello Gallery, Toronto, Ontario Canada
1988Irish Art, Knapp gallery
1987S.A.D.E 1987, Cork
1986Independent Artist Guinness Hops Store , Dublin
1986Eamon Colman / Nick Miller, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin
1986John Piper/ Eamon Colman, Winsor Arts Centre London
1986Celtic Vision Mueseo Espanol de Arte Contemporaneo, Madrid, Spain
1986Celtic Vision Palacio Municipal de Exosition, Spain
1986Living Art Exhibition, Municipal Art Gallery, Dublin
1984EV&A Limerick
1982An t-Oireachtas Exhibition

Awards, Residencies & Commissions
2018Culture Ireland GB18 Award, Wales, UK
2018Arts Act Grant, Kilkenny Co. Council
2018Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency awarded by Kilkenny Co. Council
2017Culture Ireland Award, exhibition in Vienna, Austria
2015Arts Act Award, Kilkenny Co. Council
2009Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project – Book Project (residency) Traveller Peace Pin – Pavee Point commission to design a symbol pin against violence
2007Dungarvan Community Hospital % for art commission (shortlisted)
2007Cill Railaig Project (invited to work with Niall Nessans / Master Print maker), residency
2007Ballinglen Art Foundation, residency, Co. Mayo
2007Inish Lacken Project, Connemara, Co. Galway (residency)
2007Uni Truck, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2005CCAT Interreg Major Award for touring exhibition in Wales
2004Arts Act Grant, Kilkenny County Council
20021% For Art Commission, Roscommon Arts Centre
2002Full Fellowship Award from The Vermont Studio Centre USA
2001Eigse, First prize painting
20011% For Art Commission, The Bell Centre, Darndale, Dublin
2001The Euro World Project, First prize with Crumlin Children’s Hospital
2000Art flight awarded by the Arts Council of Ireland
1999Residency in Hirsholmene, awarded by the Danish Council of Artists
1996Arts Council of Ireland, Materials Grant
1995Arts Council of Ireland, Major Artist Bursary
1993Arts Flight to New York, Arts Council & Aer Lingus
1993S.I.P.T.U. Print Award
1992Ballinglen Arts Foundation, residency Co. Mayo
1992Set design for “After the Picnic” by Evelyn Waugh, Players Theatre Trinity Collage
1991Irish Arts Council Materials Grant
1989E.V.& A First Prize Painting
1989Artist in Residence Tyrone Guthrie Centre
1989Studio Exchange for one year to India, The Calcutta Artist Union, Nov.1989 – 1990
1987Purchase Award S.A.D.E

Teaching, Talks & Lectures
2020Guest speaker at the University College Cork Conferring Ceremony, 20 February
2019Friends of IMMA , The Irish Museum of Modern Art, studio visit/talk, 28 September
2019Behind the Surface, Kilkenny Arts Festival invited artists in conversation with Ann O’Sullivan, 12 August
2018Claremorris Gallery, Co. Mayo, 15 July, gallery talk
2018Oriel Q Gallery, Narberth, Wales, UK, 15 September, gallery talk
2017Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, gallery talk
2015The National Gallery of Ireland: Artist in residence Culture Night 18th September
2015Voice Box, invited guest speaker at VISUAL, Carlow, August
2015Walking at three miles per hour; artist talk Hillsboro Fine Art, August
2015The National Gallery of Ireland: Celebrating 150 Years in 2014 50th Christmas Family Art Holiday, Invited artist “In conversation with Evelyn O’Rourke” RTE, 28th December
2014The National Gallery of Ireland: Artist in Residence, Culture Night 19th September
2014Oriel Queens Hall Gallery, Narberth, Wales, Artist Talk, 10th May 2014
2013Culture Night, Roundstone, Co. Galway, Artist Talk 22nd September
2013The National Gallery of Ireland: Artist in Residence, Culture Night 21st September
2013Panorama – Artist talk, Strule Arts Center, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
2013Eamon Colman in conversation with Dr. David Brancaleone, Triskel
2012The National Gallery of Ireland: Artists Face to Face, “Eamon Colman – The artist and his studio in Kilkenny” invited artist lecture, 16th September
2012The National Gallery of Ireland: Drawing Day, invited host artist, 19th May
2010Rua Red, Tallaght – artist in residence to co-inside with exhibition, November
2010Eigse, Carlow – master class at Kilgreany House
2009Tallaght Children’s Art Festival, working with local primary and secondary schools on a week long project
2009Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project, Book Project linked with women’s and children’s groups in Ethiopia
2008Webster University, St Louis USA – artist in residence to co-inside with exhibition
2008Since 1998 The National Gallery of Ireland, Drawing Studies Programme – host artist
2008 – 2009Summer Children’s Art Camp, Kilkenny
2002Roscommon Arts Centre – working with local groups, secondary and primary schools, Tulsk Interpretative Centre, historians, County Museum, Poet – Nicholas Mc Laughlin towards hosting an exhibition in the Arts Centre as part of a 1% For Art Project
2000 – 2003Mentor, Pavee Point Dublin, group and one on one teaching
2001The Bell Centre, Darndale – workshops with local children and drug rehabiliation centre towards creating a public art sculpture for the centre
1999 – 2000The Euro World Project with Crumlin Children’s Hospital – terminally ill ward (to design a flag and tea set design for the Millennium – first prize)
1998 – 2003Brushstrokes Independent Art School, Dublin
1996 – 2003Woman’s Refuge Bluebell, Dublin an I.M.M.A Outreach Programme

Bibliography
Newspaper & Magazine Reviews
John P. O’Sullivan, Irish Arts Review, 'The Width of Yourself’, p.86 - 89, Autumn Issue 2019
Derek Culley, Art & Museum Magazine, ‘Eamon Colman - The Contemporary Art Market and Aesthetics, your journey’, p. 12 – 13, Spring issue 2019
Niall MacMonagle, Vigil by Eamon Colman, The Sunday Independent, 13.9.15 ‘The Pleasue List’, Living magazine.
Brancaleone, David Dr., ‘Visual Conversation’ David Brancaleone Talks to Eamon Colman about his painting in Visual Artist Newsletter, March / April 2014
John P. O’Sullivan, The Sunday Times, Culture Magazine
Leach Hughes, Cristín, “Eamon Colman – Scattered Showers”, The Sunday Times, Culture Magazine May 26, 2013
Leach Hughes, Cristín, “Hue and cry over nature” The Sunday Times, Culture Magazine, November 28, 2010, p.14
Mc Avera, Brian, “Between Abstaction and Landscape” Irish Arts Review, Spring 2007 – cover page & p.62 – 67
Dunne, Aidan, “Salt River, Eamon Colman at Hillsboro Fine Art”, The Irish Times, April 27, p.14
Felder, Tess, “The Constant Gardener”, The Kilkenny People, April 7 2006, p.27
Ni Mhurchu, Aingeal, “Eamon Colman, Walking Vermont, Vangard Gallery” Irish Examiner, June 28, 2002
Ewart, Mark, “Walking Vermont, by Eamon Colman”, Irish Times, June 25, 2002
Clancy, Luke, “Eamon Colman, RHA Gallagher Gallery” Irish TImes, March 12, 1997
Dunne, Aidan, “Homesick messages from the heart and soul”, Sunday Tribune, March, 1997, p.10
Dunne, Aidan, “Critics Choice”, Sunday Tribune, Dec. 1995, p.8
Dunne, Aidan, “Keeping the Art in the Family”, Sunday Tribune, Aug. 7, 1994, p.8
Anon, “Displays In Philadelphia”, Philadelphia Enquirer, Oct. 20, 1994
MacAvock, Desmond, “Eamon Colman (sic) at the Rubicon Gallery”, Irish Times, May 21, 1992, p.12
Anon, “Byzantium”, Image Magazine, May 1992
Anon, “In Memory of the Beekeeper’s Son”, In Dublin, May 26, 1992
Anon, “Exhibitions, Exhibitions and Society”, The Phoenix, May 15, 1992
Dunne, Aidan, “Bare Male Images in Large Colour, Eamon Colman, Rubicon Gallery”, Sunday Tribune, May 15, 1992
MacNamidhe, Margaret, “Irish Artists Abroad”, in Protfolio, Gandon Press, Dublin, 1991
MacAvock, Desmond, “Eamon Colman At the Rubicon Gallery”, Irish TImes, June 1990
Anon, “Colman Wins EV&A” Cork Examiner, Oct. 16 1988
Fallon, Brian, “Second SADE at Cork”, Irish TImes, July 8, 1987
McCrum, Sean, “Sitting Up at the Bar”, Irish Times, Sept. 3, 1986
Dunne, Aidan, “Irish Art”, Sunday Tribune, June 1986
Cooke, Harriet, “Four painters at the Arts Club”, Irish Times, Oct. 16, 1985, p.12
Cooke, Harriet, “Two Artists at the Grafton Gallery”, Irish Times, June 1985
Cooke, Harriet, “Christmas Show at the Arts Club”, Irish Times, Dec. 1982
Glendon, Paddy, “Round and About the Galleries”, Irish Independent, May 15, 1982
Fallon,Brian, “Eamon Colman At the Tulfarris Gallery”, Irish TImes, May 2, 1982, p.12
Byrne, P.F. “Excellent First Show”, Irish Press, Nov. 1981
Anon, “Like Father, Like Son” in Evening Herald, Nov. 1981, p.10
Glendon, Patrick, “Artist Eamon a Man to Watch” in Irish Press, Nov. 1981
Publications
Dr. Iain Biggs, ‘Painting Place’ in 'The Width of Yourself’ artist catalogue published by Solomon Fine Art 2019
Terry Sweeney, Eamon Colman – Panorama, 2013, Strule Arts Center, Omagh, Northern Ireland
Robert O’Byrne, Dictionary of Living Irish Artists, 2010, Plurabelle Publishing, p.56 & 57ISBN 978-0-9563011-0-9
Daniel Mc Grath, Remnant, 2008, Eamon Colman at the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (Webster University Press)
John O Reagan (ed.), Profile 25 – Eamon Colman, 2006, (Gandon Editions, Kinsale) ISBN 0948037 350
McAvera, Brian, Africa 22º – 35º S, 2004, Cassagh Press, ISBN 0-9547955-0-4
McLaughlin, Nicholas, Artist Catalogue, Walking Vermont, Recent Works 2002
Irish Monograph # 1 McAvera, Brian, Dreams From The Lion’s Head, 1998, The work of Eamon Colman, Four Fields Press, ISBN 0-9532623 – 0 – 8
Film
Artist Profile Film: Fronteer Films – in conjunction with Better Ireland Awards for Drawing Studies programme for National Gallery of Ireland 2000

Collections
Wexford County Council
Norwich Union
Gordan Lambert Collection - Irish Museum of Modern Art
KPMG
Jury’s Inn Manchester
Irish Contemporary Arts Society
Deutsche Bank
Gresham Hotel
AIB Bank Brussels
Bank of Ireland Brussels
Philip Docahalo Corp. Florida
The Merrion Inn
Cleary’s select Tea Rooms
Mc Cormack & Sons
The Green Lizard Restaurant
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast, Sheen Falls Hotel
Kings House Museum, Boyle
American Express
McCann Fitzgerald
Irish Life
Office Of Public Works – Government Collection
Arthur Anderson
Smurfit Ireland Grp.
Tralee Regional Technical College
Fyffes Ireland, Delta Airlines
The Arts Council of Ireland
The Danish Arts Council
Citibank, Vermont
Studio Centre
Unitruck
Fitzsimon’s Kenny Mallon Solicitors N. Ire.,
De Vere’s private collection