Gerry Devlin
Gerry Devlin’s work operates in a space between formal abstract investigation and a psychologically charged visual enquiry. Essentially self referential, the paintings nonetheless incorporate both a contemplative and oblique visual narrative in deploying images of fragments, objects and motifs from the commonplace, to the personal, to the museum artefact. The paintings explore and reflect notions of individual and collective memories and histories without recourse to anatomical confines, infusing inanimate forms with a sense of human loss, fragility and resilience.
Born: Belfast N. Ireland
Education: BA Hons Fine Art (Painting), Advanced Diploma (Painting) University of Ulster MFA Studio Arts (Painting), Syracuse University, New York (1979 – 1981)
Awards: Prizewinner, Strictly Painting 11, McClean Project for the Arts, VA, USA; Maryland State Arts Council Individual Arts Award, 1st Prizewinner, 2nd Open Exhibition, Works on Paper, Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast; Prizewinner, Claremorris Open Exhibition, Mayo, Purchase Prize, 43rd Annual Exhibition, Munsen-Williams-Proctor Art Museum, Utica New York.
Solo Exhibitions: Fenderesky Gallery, 2023; Fenderesky Gallery, 2020; Engine Room Gallery Belfast, 2017; Crescent Arts Centre Belfast, 2016; Engine Room Gallery Belfast, 2014; Old Museum Arts Centre Belfast, 2008; Engine Room Gallery Belfast, 2007; Fenderesky Gallery Belfast, Old Museum Arts Centre, 2004, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Co Laois, 2003; School 33 Arts Centre Baltimore USA,1998; Halcyon Gallery Baltimore USA, 1996; Project Arts Centre Dublin, Crawford Municipal Arts Gallery Cork and Arts Council Gallery Belfast, 1989/90
Group Exhibitions: Golden Thread Gallery, 2021; Fenderesky Gallery Belfast; Naughton Gallery, Queens University Belfast; Sligo Art Gallery; Ormeau Baths Gallery Belfast; Emerson Gallery Washington USA; Resurgam Gallery Baltimore USA; Claremorris Prizewinners, Ireland; Monaghan County Museum; Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse , New York; Munsen-Williams-Proctor Art Institute, New York.
Collections: Arts Council of N. Ireland; Queens University Belfast; Office of Public Works, Dublin; Munsen-Williams-Proctor Museum of Contemporary Art, Utica New York; Monaghan County Museum, Ireland; Craigavon Area Hospital, N Ireland; St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast; private collections in Ireland and USA.
Teaching/Lecturing work: 2004 – 2022 – Full-time Lecturer Foundation Studies in Art & Design, University of Ulster (retired)
