About Shaw - Contemporary Irish Artist
biog | the work | collections | exhibitions
A view from his old studio.
biog
Robert Shaw b. Dublin 1964
-trained at Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design in the late nineteen eighties.
He is native of Malahide, a coastal village north of Dublin city. Shaw's studio was for nine years situated high on the most easterly point of Howth head. From here he was inspired by the land and seascapes that stretch as far as the mountains of Mourne in the north, to the coast of Wales in the east. His work is also strongly influenced by the rich historical and spiritual heritage of the north Leinster coastline. Today he paints at his studio in Donabate and on the nearby beaches and shores.
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Media
Shaw's paintings are held in important Corporate and Private Collections including:
| Studio one night - on the easels |  |
Robert Shaw interview with Sean Moncrieff on Newstalk 106 Artist Robert Shaw explains the story of how he presented his painting 'Earthwave' to Dr Edgar Mitchell, sixth man to walk on the moon. |
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Private Collector Gallery, St Frederick St, Dublin. October 2003. |
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Prints are available at
the work
Shaw's paintings sensuously capture the essence of shores and estuaries before and after the storm.
He uses light and reflection in a stirring way to evoke a sense of still and awe. Distorted viewpoints and depths of tone result in a curiosity for reference, drawing one deeper into the painting. The detail in the middle ground will often unveil a few surprises. The result is an ever-changing painting.
The conjoining of the land and sun are strong symbols. We find paintings within paintings which depict the ongoing timelessness of sunrises and sunsets. Shaw explores this sense of timelessness. The search for the big answers of life, death, heaven and earth are as relevant today as they have always been.
One is never alone when engaging the work. There is always a sense that your 'angel' is at your shoulder.
The artist demonstrates a gentle yet eager curiosity. He is probing for a kind of truth and insight into spirit, time and nature. Shaw's paintings might appear to be about landscape, but they are more about identity and the human search for a sense of purpose and place unimpeded by the boundaries of time.
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A rare ethereal glimpse of the welsh coast from the studio
collections
Shaw's paintings are held in important Corporate and Private Collections including:
| Dr Edgar Mitchell | Moonwalker, Lunar Module pilot Apollo 14 | USA |
| Ryan Tubridy | Broadcaster | Ireland |
| Graham Knuttel | Artist | Ireland |
| John O'Conor | Concert Pianist | Ireland |
| Andrew Montague | Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mansion House | Ireland |
| Adi Roche | Sharer | Ireland |
| Audrey Fahey | Nurse | Ireland |
| Liam Kelly | Coalman | Ireland |
| Fitzpatrick Hotel Group | Ireland | |
| The Morgan Hotel | Temple Bar, Dublin | Ireland |
| The Hennessy Foundation | USA | |
| Fingal County Council | Ireland | |
| The Irish Arts Archive | Ireland | |
| The Ford Collection | USA | |
| Microsoft | USA | |
| Bewleys Collection | Ireland | |
| Doyle collection | Ireland | |
| Eamonn Andrews Estate | Ireland |
exhibitions
| 2013 | Group exhibition | Green Acres Gallery - Wexford, Ireland |
| 2013 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2013 | Group exhibition | Private Collector Gallery - Innishannon, Cork |
| 2013 | Group exhibition | Cherrylane Fine Arts - Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2012 | Group exhibition | Kilmainham Arts Club - Dublin. Ireland |
| 2012 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2011 | Solo exhibition | Newbridge House - Donabate, Ireland |
| 2011 | Group exhibition | Private Collector Gallery - Innishannon, Cork |
| 2011 | Group exhibition | Cherrylane Fine Arts - Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2011 | Group exhibition | Kilmainham Arts Club - Dublin. Ireland |
| 2011 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2010 | Solo exhibition | Howth Yacht Club - Dublin, Ireland |
| 2010 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2009 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2009 | Group exhibition | Cherrylane Fine Arts - Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2008 | Solo exhibition | Howth Yacht Club - Dublin, Ireland |
| 2008 | Group exhibition | Wexford Contemporary Irish Art Festival - Ireland |
| 2008 | Group exhibition | Cherrylane Fine Arts - Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2008 | Group exhibition | Whalley Gallery, Holywood Belfast, Ireland |
| 2008 | Group exhibition | Purple Onion Fine Art Gallery - Roscommon. Ireland |
| 2008 | Group exhibition | The Bold Art Gallery, Galway - Ireland |
| 2007 | Group exhibition | Gormley's Fine Art - Omagh and Belfast, Ireland |
| 2007 | Solo exhibition | Blue Haven Gallery - Kinsale, Cork, Ireland |
| 2007 | Group exhibition | Cherrylane Fine Arts - Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2006 | Solo exhibition | Dublin Chamber of Commerce - courtesy of the Blue Leaf Gallery |
| 2006 | Group exhibition | Wexford Contemporary Irish Art Festival - Ireland |
| 2006 | Group exhibition | The Bold Art Gallery - Galway, Ireland |
| 2006 | Installed exhibition | The New Morgan - Temple Bar, Dublin |
| 2005 | Group exhibition | City Hall - Cork, Ireland - by courtesy of Spiller Art |
| 2005 | Group exhibition | by courtesy of the Barbara Stanley Gallery - London |
| 2005 | Group exhibition | The Bold Art Gallery - Galway, Ireland |
| 2004 | Solo exhibition | Spiller Art - Dublin, Ireland |
| 2004 | Group exhibition | Wexford Contemporary Irish Art Festival - Ireland |
| 2004 | Group exhibition | The Tramyard Gallery - Dublin, Ireland |
| 2004 | Group exhibition | Commonwealth Institute - Kensington, London by courtesy of the Barbara Stanley Gallery |
| 2003 | Group exhibition | Barbara Stanley Gallery - London |
of 'earthwave - “breathtaking”
Dr Edgar Mitchell, Lunar Module pilot Apollo 14 -USA -2009
“Shaw has become a most collectable painter”
Garrett O’Connor, Irish Art Auctioneer - 2006
“The non-invasive manner and power of Shaw’s imagery
makes this another major exhibition success”
Daniel Morrison, New York Art Critic – 2004
“One of Ireland’s most respected young artists, in time, destined for greatness”
Daniel Morrison, New York Art Critic – 2003
