€450,000 art feast to wow fans in the New Year

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Art lovers are in for a new year artistic feast with two exhibitions bringing a combined value of €450,000 to Dublin and Belfast.

January will see iconic Irish figurative artist Gordon Harris feature at Gormleys Belfast gallery.

Just a week later, London’s minimalist contemporary legend, Julian Opie, known for designing the cover of Blur’s ‘Best Of’ album, will stage his first Irish solo exhibition at Gormleys in the capital.

“Traditionally, Irish collectors tend to buy only Irish art, but recently we are seeing a strong appetite for international pieces,” said James Gormley.

“Amongst some global economic uncertainty, the Irish art market continues to grow and attract huge international names while continuing to strongly support home grown artists.”

Harris pieces have increased in value by 50% since 2020, and are being bought by both Irish and international collectors.

Recognised for his highly refined, meticulously detailed and translucently layered paintings, the artist has exhibited at the National Gallery of Ireland and the RHA.

The exhibition of his latest works will be showcased at Gormleys Belfast from January 11 to 31. 

“This new collection includes portraits of my daughters, which acts as a social commentary on fatherhood as well as current geopolitical issues,” said Harris. 

“Soul Child and Peace take a direct challenging approach and confront political instability with innocence taking on aggression.

“The message behind the Camouflage series is that beauty gives a person power and camouflage. 

“The Golden Empress painting is of my daughter, and an empress does not concern herself with the antics of fools – the message to her is be strong, be fearless, be beautiful.”

According to Gormleys, collectors are not only buying for aesthetic value and global appeal but investment potential. 

In 2020, the gallery sold Opie’s New York Couple 4 for stg£10,500, but earlier this year, the same piece fetched stg£18,000 at Philips Auction House in London.

One of Britain’s most renowned contemporary artists, and recognisable here for his permanent digital sculpture outside the Hugh Lane Gallery, Opie’s first Irish solo exhibition will run at Gormleys Dublin from January 18 to February 8.

This highly anticipated show will offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience a collection of his striking and innovative visual language in Ireland.

Known for his iconic portraits, which simplify human figures into geometric forms and bold outlines, Opie’s new pieces extend his exploration of abstraction and human identity into new dimensions.

The exhibition will feature a range of works, including his large-scale lenticular portraits, sculpture, relief works and screenprints, each reflecting Opie’s ongoing interest in how we perceive the human form in the digital age.

“Julian Opie’s art is both timeless and forward-thinking,” said James Gormley. 

“His unique ability to distil the complexities of the human experience into simplified, iconic forms has made him a key figure in contemporary art.”

Both exhibitions are free to the public. See Gormleys.ie for more information. 

Featured image: James Gormley from Gormleys Fine Art with works by Patrick O’Reilly and Ian Pollock in the Gormleys Secret Sculpture Garden. Image – Kevin Hughes.