Hector McDonnell
Hector McDonnell was born in Belfast. He studied at Akademie der bildenden Kuenste, Vienna in 1966 and in Munich the year before. Having finished his studies he spent most of his time in London.
For a period of time he focused a great effort on his interiors, mainly of country residences ad commercial premises - these were buildings with a rural living element. These paintings, though visibly Anglo-Irish, can most easily source its origins from 17th Century Dutch genre painting, in his rendering of interior spaces reflecting personal lived in space and framing ones view of the outside world.
Since 1985 McDonnell has spent time living and painting in New York, though instead of painting the beautiful architecture and iconic skylines, he chooses instead to focus on the unfashionable, undesirable neighbourhoods, particularly old bars and shop fronts. In 2009 he says of his own style 'I would call myself an impressionist because my paintings are about momentary, transitory impressions- things that are gone the next second'. In 1980s he began travelling and visited countries including China, Tibet, Pakistan and India. He moved his focus after this period away from interior spaces and inhabited spaces, to mountain ranges and wide plains. Regardless of his subject, primary focus or where he is in the world, of primary importance is his interest in light and its play on polished surfaces, be it a building, fabric or mountain.
He has exhibited across Europe and gained international recognition. He is now based between Antrim and America.
Read More
For a period of time he focused a great effort on his interiors, mainly of country residences ad commercial premises - these were buildings with a rural living element. These paintings, though visibly Anglo-Irish, can most easily source its origins from 17th Century Dutch genre painting, in his rendering of interior spaces reflecting personal lived in space and framing ones view of the outside world.
Since 1985 McDonnell has spent time living and painting in New York, though instead of painting the beautiful architecture and iconic skylines, he chooses instead to focus on the unfashionable, undesirable neighbourhoods, particularly old bars and shop fronts. In 2009 he says of his own style 'I would call myself an impressionist because my paintings are about momentary, transitory impressions- things that are gone the next second'. In 1980s he began travelling and visited countries including China, Tibet, Pakistan and India. He moved his focus after this period away from interior spaces and inhabited spaces, to mountain ranges and wide plains. Regardless of his subject, primary focus or where he is in the world, of primary importance is his interest in light and its play on polished surfaces, be it a building, fabric or mountain.
He has exhibited across Europe and gained international recognition. He is now based between Antrim and America.
Read More
