About the Artist. Kieran Guckian

Bio

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kieran's art journey began with a love of ornithology and drawing birds. His first mentor and teacher was Sister Maureen McMahon, founder of the High Loft painting group. Kieran went on to attend Crawford College of Art and Design graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Painting.

Fine art has always been his greatest love and after a career in the tech industry Kieran took the step to become a full time artist.

Painting the landscape outside (en plein air) is central to Kieran's current practice, capturing in real time the light and feeling of places that inspire him. His location work will continue to inform his larger more conceptual studio pieces.

Kieran's work is featured in the Doorway Gallery in Dublin's city centre and the Bradbury gallery in Dún Laoghaire.

Artist Statement

I have been compelled to draw and paint from an early age, developing an early interest in art that depicted the natural world, with Archibald Thorburn’s bird paintings being a huge influence. The need to draw, paint and make work has remained a core part of my life.

There are a number of themes that inspire my work and are never far below the surface. I have a deep love of nature and the landscape. I try to combine this with my love of books, science and history. These all play an important role in my work. I’ve painted for half my life using oils and now use acrylics which suits my outdoor work well.

Working in the landscape is important to me as I am trying to capture the feeling these places give me and the physical feeling of being in a place heavily influences me. I'm always drawn to landscapes that have a sense of time and am happiest painting in the mountains. I can feel closer in these places to those I have lost in my life, especially my father who instilled this deep connection with nature in me.

For my larger studio based pieces I try to set scenes that are open to storytelling in the viewer’s mind, I don’t want to explicitly tell a story but rather make suggestions for the viewer.

Exhibitions

Upcoming

Solo Show, “Landscapes in Time”
Signal Arts Centre, Bray - Nov. 2025

Previous

Dunamaise Group Show
Dunamaise Arts Centre - Selected by Vera Klute (RHA) - 2024

Group show - "Standing in Place"
Reds Gallery - 2024

Signal Open Exhibition
Signal Arts Centre, Bray - 2024

Solo Show, "Fieldwork"
Tallaght Library - 2024

The Doorway Christmas show
The Doorway Gallery - 2024

Awards

Contestant Series 10 - Landscape Artist of the Year

  • Series airs - 22 January 2025

Graignamanagh Plein Air

  • 1st prize - Judges award -2024
  • 1st prize - Artist choice award -2024

Dublin Plein Air Festival

  • 1st Prize winner - Botanic Gardens - 2024
  • 2nd Prize winner - Donabate - 2024