Senan O'Brien was born in 1964 in Dublin and attended Carlow Regional College, following on to Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin. His early artistic training was accomplished as a small child at the side of his father, Denis O'Brien, the noted painter and sculptor. His father was firm in his insistence that Senan attain complete proficiency in drawing before moving on to other media, so that Senan did not lift a paintbrush until he was eighteen years old. His more formal education led him into an early career in graphic and structural design including study with portrait artist Desmond Carrick (RHA). Senan's contemporary realistic style developed over the past twenty years, even as he worked in a number of graphic design situations. Several years after his beloved father's death in 1985, Senan's career passd through an unquiet period, which found him for a short time with a design department for a movie studio.
It was in 1996 that he decided to devote himself exclusively to painting. His bond with the nearby countryside and the people who live there, simply going about their rural life daily is a major part of his life. We've all dreamed of a special golden day, walking a quiet lane, in a lush green landscape, or remembered a special moment when we chanced upon a true slice of almost forgotten rural life, he lives their dreams and memories daily. As we can see from his work, the artistic and personal passion with which he approaches his ideas is both enlightening and sympathetic.
The light that is captured in his "freeze frame" moments bring back memories to evoke feelings long lost in us to time. Senan's work is held in high regard and some of his commissions include A.I.B. Bank and Mary McAleese. Solo Exhibitions include; 1997-Tinahely Courthouse Centre, Tinahely Co. Wicklow. Wexford Opera Festival, Eigse Arts Festival, Co.Carlow. 1998-Arklow Arts Centre, Athy County Library, Wexford Opera Festival. 1999-Coopers Restaurant, Greystones. Listowel Arts Centre,Arklow Arts Centre, Athy Art Group, American Women's Club of Brussels, Belgium
Contact Gallery Home
The Barton Gallery
Barton Street
Tinahely
Co.Wicklow
087-657-6220