Jim Furlong was born in Worthing, Sussex, England and currently resides in Croom Co Limerick. In his early career Jim trained as a sign writer and worked for many years for a multinational company but later in life decided to apply to Limerick College of Art and Design as a mature student to study for a B.A.degree in Fine Art. Graduating with a 1st class honors degree grade1 Jim was the recipient of two major awards, The Revenue Commissioners Innovation Prize. The Tom Fox Award and had one of his works purchased by the Irish State Collection. Jim has also held the position of Artist in attendance at the European Commission's Directorate General Education and Culture at the 7th University Business Forum in Brussels. In addition to this Jim's work has featured on the cover of Let Us Rise, An Anthology Commemorating the Limerick Soviet of 1919 and Shadows on My Shoulder by Con Hurley. Jim's art also featured in the international publication Durty Words a profile of social and political art. Jim currently teaches art at the Limerick College of Further Education. Jim has a permanent residency at James St. Studio sponsored by The Limerick Arts Office.
Jim Furlong's artistic practice combines two distinct elements, text and images appropriated from popular culture, utilizing a Pop Art aesthetic. His work is figurative and explores traditional portraiture in the context of modern day alienation and isolation.