Connor Maguire Northern Ireland artist, Belfast

Northern Ireland artist Connor Maguire, Belfast

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 ALEVEL 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 Painting from watercolours to oils, Printmaking in the form off Woodcuts, Linocuts and Drawing in charcoal and Graphite. He is an expert framer and mounts and crafts all his own work. Connor's paintings are inspired from anything ranging from everyday events, personal experiences, friends or family or just an idea off what something is.

After 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 Neil Shawcross, Basil Blackshaw, Carol Graham and many other acclaimed painters recognised throughout Ireland.

His work has been praised by collectors and painters alike and takes honour in saying that one of his works is in the collection of famous artist Jim Fitzpatrick who has worked with established musicians such as Sinead O'Connor, Tori Amos and Ash.

Connor's work has also been published by 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', 'Anna Cheyne Award' and the 'Carnathan Galleries Award' 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' after representing his charity in the event.

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 Print 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 Watercolour painter introduced me to pencil drawing and charcoal.

Inspired and captivated seeing what he could accomplish with a pencil and a paintbrush I too attempted to paint as good as he did and believe I'm 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.'

Recently Connor has been interviewed and taken part in BBC Radio 4 programmes talking about his work with broadcasting Journalists Perminder Khatkar and Helen Marks. He was shortlisted as Artist of the year in 2013 in association with Artist and Illustrator Magazine exhibiting in Londons prestigous Mall Galleries alongside some of Britains greatest Artists.

He has also recently taken part in another show involving some of Irelands finest artists in the MAC Theatre in Belfast in March 2014. Connor's work continues to progress and develop and continues to exhibit in galleries throughout Ireland. Past Upcoming Exhibitions and Gallery Representation

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, Belfastsolo exhibition, 5th July 2004
*Meath and 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 reland 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
*UWS Ulster Watercolour Society exhibitionDown Arts Centre, October 2009
*Christmas Group Exhibition Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, November 2009
*Group Exhibition Red Rag Gallery, Stow in the Wold, Cheltenham , England 2009
*Charity Auction Autumn Ball ExhibitionUfford Park Hotel, Woodbridge, England, 25th September 2009
*UWS Ulster Watercolour Society exhibition Northern Bank building, Waring Street Belfast 7.30pm 22nd May 2010
*Tuesdays Child Christmas Art Exhibition in the Northern Bank building, 2 Waring St, Belfast 14th December 2010
*Tuesdays Child Christmas Gala Ball Art Auction Opened by Lord Mayor Cllr Pat Convery, Paul Clark from UTV is MC and music is by Siobhan Pettit and her 9 piece swing band in the Belfast City Hall 18th December 2010
*Yard Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Holywood, Co.Down, N.Ireland Tuesday 23rd December 2010
*RUA Royal Ulster Academy exhibition of Irish artists Ulster Museum, Belfast, 21st October 2011
*One foot square exhibition Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen 1st December until 21st December 2011
*Group show arranged by Katie Larmour BBC presenter Marine Court Hotel, Bangor, Co.Down, N.Ireland October 2012
*Group shown Exhibition Commencing on the 12th MAR to 15th MAR 2013 in the BELFAST HARLEQUINS CLUB
*UWS ULSTER WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY Waterfront Hall ,Gallery 2,Belfast. Open to public 13th NOV 2013
*ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATORS ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS EXHIBITION,THE MALL GALLERIES, London, JAN 2014
*NSPCC Group show of Ireland Artists taking place in THE MAC THEATRE Belfast. 24th,25th,26th March 2014

GALLERIES EXHIBITING

*Bushmills Gallery Bushmills, Coleraine, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland
*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
*Ireland Art Newtonabbey, Belfast
*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
*SHORTLISTED for ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATORS ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS EXHIBITION,THE MALL GALLERIES, London, JAN 2014
*INTERVIEW with PERMINDER KHATKAR BBC RADIO 4 ABOUT MY ART AND DOCUMENTARY ON THE EAST COAST OFF N.IRELAND OCT 2013

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
*Shortlisted Artist off the Year Award with Artist and Illustrator Magazine 2013

Website: WWW.CONNORMAGUIRE.COM