Research Interests
Oliver Comerfords research outputs include many solo exhibitions and group exhibitions of national and international standing. In 2010, a survey exhibition of his work covering two decades was exhibited at the RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin accompanied by a major publication with essays by Fintan O'Toole, Declan Long and Patrick T. Murphy.
His research is engaged with place and the changing nature of place and ways of representing this in contemporary art. It addresses the interface between the local and the global and social and environmental change. Its enquiry is built through the relationship between painting, photography and film and comments on our contemporary relationship with our environment. He is a featured artist in the 2015 five volume Art and Architecture of Ireland published by the Royal Irish Academy and Yale University Press acknowledging his contribution to Irish art. His work has been purchased for public collections including Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Arts Council of Ireland, government departments and major international collections. His work has been included in exhibitions at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the Crawford Gallery, Cork, the Barbican Gallery, London, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, and the Living Art Museum Reykjavik.
Engagement and Collaboration
- Guest Lecturer to several Art Colleges
- Adjudicator on behalf County Council Arts Panels
- Contributing to Museum and Gallery discussion panels
- A participant in Staff Erasmus exchange and training with University of Ostrava
- External examiner GMIT
- Board Member of Wexford Arts Centre, and Visual Arts Adviser to Wexford Arts Centre
Areas of Interest for future Supervision role
Fine Art: the subject of Place, the changing nature of place, the interface between the local and the global, social and environmental change, the representation of psychological space represented through painting, photography & video.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
| 2015 | the longest road,Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2012 | Facing North, John Martin Gallery, London* |
| 2010 | Oliver Comerford, Painting 1994-2010, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin * |
| 2010 | Oliver Comerford, John Martin Gallery, London |
| 2009 | True Romance, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2008 | I Can See Your House From Here, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2005 | Night and Day, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2004 | Distance, DCMNR, Dublin |
| 2003 | Out Here, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin Vapourtrail, Brosna/ Knocknagoshel Waterplant, Kerry * |
| 2002 | Get Here, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 1999 | Talk To Me, The Living Art Museum, Reykjavík, Iceland * |
| 1998 | Talk To Me, Hallward Gallery, Dublin * |
| 1996 | Out Of Here, Hallward Gallery, Dublin * |
| 1994 | Paintings and Monotypes, Hallward Gallery, Dublin |
| 1993 | Skowhegan Paintings, United Arts Club, Dublin |
| 1991 | Rubicon Gallery/ Bank of Ireland Exhibition Centre, Dublin |
| 1990 | United Arts Club, Dublin |
| 1989 | Bravos Gallery, Georgetown, Massachusetts, USA |
(*denotes catalogue)
Selected Group Exhibitions
| 2015 | This lasted until dawn, Wexford Arts Centre/Wexford County Council |
| 2014 | Instant Crush, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2013 | The Poetry Project.ie Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto Canada |
| 2012 | Last, Douglas Hyde Gallery, curated by John Hutchinson * Anna Berger, Oliver Comerford, Diana Copperwhite, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery |
| 2011 | In a Place in Time, VISUAL Center for Contemporary Art, Carlow. Room Outside, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin Arte Fiera Bologna - International exhibition of contemporary art 2011, Bologna Art Athina 2011-International Contemporary Art Fair, Athens RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2010 | Sovereign European Art Prize, Barbican Centre, London * What Happens Next is a Secret, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy * Tulca: Living on the Edge, People, Place and Possibility, Galway Arts Centre, Galway, curated by Michelle Browne John Martin Gallery, London RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin* |
| 2009 | Terror and Sublime: Art in an Age of Anxiety, Crawford Gallery, Cork, curated by Peter Murray * Portable Histories, Irish Museum of Modern Art / Wexford Arts Centre RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2008 | 10,000 to 50, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin * Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle Group Therapy, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2007 | Alternative Nature, Irish Museum of Modern Art/ Cavan County Museum Manscape, South Tipperary Arts Centre, curated by Martin Drury * The Garden of Eden Has Vanished, Cavan County Museum, Cavan, curated by Cliodhna Shaffrey |
| 2006 | Art and Idea, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada * IMMA: Outside by Us, Irish Museum of Modern Art/ Áras an Chontae, Tullamore * Reality Show, Siamsa Tíre Arts Centre, Tralee, curated by Gemma Tipton Seeing is Believing, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin, curated by Jacqui Macintosh * |
| 2005 | Tir na nÓg, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy and Catherine Marshall * Eurojet Futures Anthology, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, curated by Patrick T Murphy * After The Thaw, Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork, curated By Frances Ruane and Peter Murray * A Moment in Time, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, curated by Noel Kelly |
| 2004 | Bearings, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy * |
| 2003 | Perspective 03, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast curated by Enrique Juncosa Affinity Archive, Broadstone Studios, Dublin, curated by Sarah Pierce The National Gallery, Goethe Institute, Dublin, curated by Grant Watson and Vaari Claffey RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin |
| 2002 | Landscape Now… Paton Gallery, London Eurojet Futures, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, curated by Patrick T Murphy* Crawford Open 2, Crawford Municipal Gallery of Art, Cork * ART2002, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, London An Leabhar Mòr, The Great Book of Gaelic, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow * RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2001 | Adeste, Draíocht, Dublin EV+A 2001, ‘Expanded’, Limerick, curated by Salah Hassan * |
| 2000 | Adeste, The Ark, Dublin |
| 1999 | Non-Stop Opening, Central Point Gallery, London EV+A 99, 'Reduced,' Limerick, curated by Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn * Adhocracy, Galerie Herold, Bremen, Germany Royal Overseas League Open Exhibition, London, Edinburgh, Manchester |
| 1998 | EV+A 98, ‘Circus ZZ’ Limerick, curated by Paul O' Reilly * Skowhegan, David Beitzel Gallery, New York Art 98, Paton Gallery, London Contemporary Art Fair RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin *
|
| 1997 | Four Artists, Paton Gallery, London Critics View, Banquet Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin Open Minds, AIB Art on Tour, City Hall, Waterford
|
| 1996 | Victor Treacy Awards Exhibition, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny * NCAD 250 Years Drawing Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 1995 | The World of Art, UNESCO, Paris, France * |
| 1995,96 | Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle |
| 1995 | Monaghan Open Exhibition, Monaghan County Museum |
| 1990,92,94-97 | Academy Without Walls, RHA Banquet Exhibition, RHA, Dublin |
| 1990-96 | RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 1994 | Éigse Arts Festival, Carlow Claremorris Open, Co Mayo |
| 1993-94 | Aer Rianta Arts Festival, Dublin |
| 1990-93 | Oireachtas Exhibition, Dublin |
| 1990-93 | Íontas, Sligo Art Gallery |
(*denotes catalogue)
Citations
Landscape Theory, Rachael DeLue and James Elkins, Routledge/ University of Cork, 2008.
When time began to rant and rage: Figurative painting from 20th century Ireland, James Christen Stewart, 1998, Merrell Publishers. His work has been cited in PhD History of Art, Trinity College, Dublin, BA Theses at National College of Art and Design and MA Research at IADT, Dun Laoghaire. His work has been reviewed on television and radio, in journals and print media, including 'The View' RTÉ1, Circa, Flash Art, Irish Arts Review, the Irish Times, Sunday Times, and Sunday Tribune.
Books & book chapters
Comerford,O, O’Toole,F, Long,D (2010) Oliver Comerford Painting 1994-2010, edited by Patrick Murphy & Madeleine Moore Royal Hiberian Acadamy ISBN 1903875528, 9781903875520
Comerford,O (2003) Vapour Trail, Kerry County Council
Published Reports
‘Art and Architecture of Ireland,’ Vol. V, ed. Marshall, C and Murray, P, 2014, Yale University Press/ Royal Irish Academy
‘Established Principles-Which Irish Artists will stand the test of time?’ Top Ten listing, Sunday Times 20 April 2014
Diamonds on the Windscreen, essay by Fintan O’toole, Monograph 'Oliver Comerford Painting 1994-2010
Swerving to solitude, essay by Declan Long, Monograph 'Oliver Comerford Painting 1994-2010
'Oliver Comerford Painting 1994-2010,' The View RTÉ1 Television, 27 April 2010
'Faint Lights in the Darkness', Aidan Dunne, Irish Times, 14 April 2010
'Owner of Lonely Art,' Sue Conley, Evening Herald, 25 March 2010'
'True Romance,' Kate Butler, Sunday Times, 15 November 2009
'Art into Artisan,' Gemma Tipton, Irish Times Magazine, 14 November 2009
'I can see your house from here,' Kate Butler, Sunday Times, 20 April 2008
'Artist Firmly in the Driving Seat,' Cristin Leach, Sunday Times, 1 May 2005
'Out Here,' Catherine Lean, Sunday Times, 17 August 2003
'Asserting Personal Identity,' Aidan Dunne, Irish Times, 23 July 2003
Vapourtrail, commissioned by Kerry County Council, 2003
'Looking at the Spaces behind the Town,' Aidan Dunne, Irish Times, 12 April 2002
'Getting to the Point,' Marianne Hartigan, Sunday Tribune, 14 April 2002
'Get Here,' Anne Iremonger, The Dubliner Magazine, April 2002
'Get Here,' The View, RTÉ1 Television, 9 April 2002
Interview with Anna Sigrídur Einarsdóttir, Morgunbladid, Iceland, 31 July 1999
Review, Gunnar J. Árnason, Morgunbladid, Iceland, 13 August, 1999
'Images Of Nothing,' Aidan Dunne, Irish Times, 11 November 1998
In Transit, essay by Catherine Marshall, Senior Curator of the Collection, Irish Museum of Modern Art, 1998
'Talk to Me,' Marianne Hartigan, Sunday Tribune, 8 November 1998
'Talk to Me,' Marian Lovett, Sunday Times, 8 November 1998
'Out of Here,' Medb Ruane, Sunday Times, 17 March 1996
'Out of Here,' Brian Fallon, Irish Times, 22 March 1996
Out Of Here, essay by Fintan O'Toole, Journalist and Arts Correspondent, The Irish Times, 1996
Interview with Seamus Hosey and review by Caoimhín Mac Giolla Léith, The Arts Show, RTÉ Radio 1, June 1994
'Oliver Comerford, Hallward Gallery,' Brian Fallon, Irish Times, 29 June 1994
'Dark On The Edge Of Town,' Aidan Dunne, Sunday Tribune, 19 June 1994
Art Attacks, documentary directed by Ferdia Mac Anna, broadcast on RTÉ Television, October 1993, August 1995 and as part of 'The Art Files,' 1997
'Worlds Where Even A Chair Can Tell A Story,' Aidan Dunne, Sunday Tribune, June 1991
'Young Artist at the Bank of Ireland,' Brian Fallon, Irish Times, 27 June 1991
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
| 2015 | the longest road,Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2012 | Facing North, John Martin Gallery, London* |
| 2010 | Oliver Comerford, Painting 1994-2010, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin * |
| 2010 | Oliver Comerford, John Martin Gallery, London |
| 2009 | True Romance, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2008 | I Can See Your House From Here, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2005 | Night and Day, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2004 | Distance, DCMNR, Dublin |
| 2003 | Out Here, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin Vapourtrail, Brosna/ Knocknagoshel Waterplant, Kerry * |
| 2002 | Get Here, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 1999 | Talk To Me, The Living Art Museum, Reykjavík, Iceland * |
| 1998 | Talk To Me, Hallward Gallery, Dublin * |
| 1996 | Out Of Here, Hallward Gallery, Dublin * |
| 1994 | Paintings and Monotypes, Hallward Gallery, Dublin |
| 1993 | Skowhegan Paintings, United Arts Club, Dublin |
| 1991 | Rubicon Gallery/ Bank of Ireland Exhibition Centre, Dublin |
| 1990 | United Arts Club, Dublin |
| 1989 | Bravos Gallery, Georgetown, Massachusetts, USA |
(*denotes catalogue)
Selected Group Exhibitions
| 2015 | This lasted until dawn, Wexford Arts Centre/Wexford County Council |
| 2014 | Instant Crush, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2013 | The Poetry Project.ie Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto Canada |
| 2012 | Last, Douglas Hyde Gallery, curated by John Hutchinson * Anna Berger, Oliver Comerford, Diana Copperwhite, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery |
| 2011 | In a Place in Time, VISUAL Center for Contemporary Art, Carlow. Room Outside, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin Arte Fiera Bologna - International exhibition of contemporary art 2011, Bologna Art Athina 2011-International Contemporary Art Fair, Athens RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2010 | Sovereign European Art Prize, Barbican Centre, London * What Happens Next is a Secret, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy * Tulca: Living on the Edge, People, Place and Possibility, Galway Arts Centre, Galway, curated by Michelle Browne John Martin Gallery, London RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin* |
| 2009 | Terror and Sublime: Art in an Age of Anxiety, Crawford Gallery, Cork, curated by Peter Murray * Portable Histories, Irish Museum of Modern Art / Wexford Arts Centre RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2008 | 10,000 to 50, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin * Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle Group Therapy, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin |
| 2007 | Alternative Nature, Irish Museum of Modern Art/ Cavan County Museum Manscape, South Tipperary Arts Centre, curated by Martin Drury * The Garden of Eden Has Vanished, Cavan County Museum, Cavan, curated by Cliodhna Shaffrey |
| 2006 | Art and Idea, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada * IMMA: Outside by Us, Irish Museum of Modern Art/ Áras an Chontae, Tullamore * Reality Show, Siamsa Tíre Arts Centre, Tralee, curated by Gemma Tipton Seeing is Believing, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin, curated by Jacqui Macintosh * |
| 2005 | Tir na nÓg, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy and Catherine Marshall * Eurojet Futures Anthology, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, curated by Patrick T Murphy * After The Thaw, Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork, curated By Frances Ruane and Peter Murray * A Moment in Time, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, curated by Noel Kelly |
| 2004 | Bearings, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, curated by Marguerite O'Molloy * |
| 2003 | Perspective 03, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast curated by Enrique Juncosa Affinity Archive, Broadstone Studios, Dublin, curated by Sarah Pierce The National Gallery, Goethe Institute, Dublin, curated by Grant Watson and Vaari Claffey RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin |
| 2002 | Landscape Now… Paton Gallery, London Eurojet Futures, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, curated by Patrick T Murphy* Crawford Open 2, Crawford Municipal Gallery of Art, Cork * ART2002, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, London An Leabhar Mòr, The Great Book of Gaelic, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow * RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 2001 | Adeste, Draíocht, Dublin EV+A 2001, ‘Expanded’, Limerick, curated by Salah Hassan * |
| 2000 | Adeste, The Ark, Dublin |
| 1999 | Non-Stop Opening, Central Point Gallery, London EV+A 99, 'Reduced,' Limerick, curated by Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn * Adhocracy, Galerie Herold, Bremen, Germany Royal Overseas League Open Exhibition, London, Edinburgh, Manchester |
| 1998 | EV+A 98, ‘Circus ZZ’ Limerick, curated by Paul O' Reilly * Skowhegan, David Beitzel Gallery, New York Art 98, Paton Gallery, London Contemporary Art Fair RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin *
|
| 1997 | Four Artists, Paton Gallery, London Critics View, Banquet Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin Open Minds, AIB Art on Tour, City Hall, Waterford
|
| 1996 | Victor Treacy Awards Exhibition, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny * NCAD 250 Years Drawing Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 1995 | The World of Art, UNESCO, Paris, France * |
| 1995,96 | Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle |
| 1995 | Monaghan Open Exhibition, Monaghan County Museum |
| 1990,92,94-97 | Academy Without Walls, RHA Banquet Exhibition, RHA, Dublin |
| 1990-96 | RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin * |
| 1994 | Éigse Arts Festival, Carlow Claremorris Open, Co Mayo |
| 1993-94 | Aer Rianta Arts Festival, Dublin |
| 1990-93 | Oireachtas Exhibition, Dublin |
| 1990-93 | Íontas, Sligo Art Gallery |
(*denotes catalogue)