About - Ronan Halpin Sculpture

‘Ronan is a graduate of Yale School of Art where he studied under David Von Schlegell and received a Masters Degree in Sculpture 1984′

A little bit about the artist....

From his studio and workshop, overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean on the island of Achill – Ronan Halpin designs and fabricates works of modern sculpture that connect you to nature and more especially to the west coast of Ireland. Since moving to the west in 1998, with his wife and family, Ronan has produced sculpture that reflects the West Mayo landscape – and in particular the rugged mountainscape of Achill Island. From the surf pounded shoreline and the rising cliff formations of Craughán mountain to the 5000 year old megalithic remains of the early island dwellers, this is where Ronan finds his inspiration.

‘Although the images come from me, they are informed by the landscape which surrounds me. They are not depictions of the landscape but rather evocations of a life among the rocks and hills and seas of the west coast.’

The working practice....

In his studio Ronan works mainly with steel, bronze and brass. His sculptures are wrought from metal using a number of welding techniques he has mastered over the years. The sculptures are often flame cut from bare metal using the Oxy- Acetylene torch and then further refined with grinding, sanding and polishing. Oftentimes, once a sculpture is completed in steel, Ronan will make a mould in order to cast the piece in bronze. The bronze sculpture then takes on a new life of its own and can be reproduced in editions usually 9 in number.

Ronan Halpin Curriculum Vitae

From 1978 – 1982 Ronan attended the National College of Art & Design in Dublin where he received an Honours Diploma in Sculpture 1981 and the following year an Honours Degree Sculpture B.A.

From 1982 – 1984 Ronan attended Yale School of Art, New Haven, Connecticut. USA. and received an Honours Degree Sculpture M.F.A.

In 1985 he returned to Dublin where he worked for a number of years before moving his studio to Drogheda, Co Louth.

In 1998 he moved to Achill Island where he now lives and works.

A selection of exhibitions

1989. Two Person Show with Paki Smith. Guinness Hops Store, Dublin. Travelling to Limerick City Art Gallery, Octagon Gallery, Belfast, Wexford Arts Centre.

1990. Budapest Triennial of Small Sculpture. Selected one of three to represent Ireland.

1991. First Solo Exhibition, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin.

1992. Solo Exhibition of Sculpture and Drawings. Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Travelling to Limerick City Gallery, Market Gallery Athy, Dundalk Town Hall, Droichead Arts Centre Drogheda.

1994. Solo Exhibition. Sculpture and Drawings. Rubicon Gallery, Dublin. Travelling: Limerick City Gallery & Droichead Arts Centre Drogheda.

1999. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island.

2004. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ’Cethorinus Maximus’

2007. ‘Interchange’. An exhibition of Fullbright Scholars. Farmleigh House Dublin. Show travels to High Lanes Gallery Drogheda Co Louth.

2007. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Aquilla’

2009. Group Exhibition. Solomon Art. Outdoor Exhibition. Co Kildare.

2009. Achill Artists Group Exhibition. Kunsthaus Rhenenia. Cologne, Germany.

2011. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Aurelia’

2012. Group Exhibition Solomon Gallery Dublin.

2012. Solo Outdoor exhibition of sculpture. Carraholly, Westport. Co Mayo. Exhibition travels to Solomon Fine Art. Dublin.

2014. Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Gravity’

2017. Solo Exhibition. Custom House Gallery. Westport. Co Mayo (April)
Solomon Gallery Dublin. (May)
Group Exhibition. Aba Teangaí, Achill Island. ‘Ceann Bhán’

Selection of commissioned sculptures

1983	Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Grant to USA.
1984	Awarded the Fanee B. Pardee Prize for Achievement in Sculpture at Yale School of Art, USA.
1986	Commissioned to design and complete major outdoor sculpture for the Ardhowen Arts centre, Co. Fermannagh. NI.
1989	Commissioned by St Olivers’ Community College/ Arts Council for large outdoor sculpture in the school grounds.
1992	Commissioned by Meath Co. Council ‘The King and Queen’ at Trim, Co. Meath.
1996	Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete a set of gates for the New Enterprise building in Dundalk, Co. Louth.
1997	Commissioned by Brian O Halloran Architects for ‘The Silent Watch’ at the New Law Library, Dublin.
1998	Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete internal balustrade at Ardee Castle, Co. Louth.
1998	Commissioned by Turlough McKevitt, Architects to design and complete a lantern sculpture at Millmount, Drogheda Co. Louth.

2001	Commissioned by Louth County Council to design and complete an outdoor sculpture ‘A Shaft of Light’, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
2004	Commissioned by Jan Van Dijk, Architects to design and complete gates for the refurbished Town Hall, Dundalk, Co Louth
2008	Commissioned by Westport Town Council to design and complete a stainless steel cross to commemorate the Sisters of Mercy.
2008	Commissioned by Kerry Co. Council to design and complete an outdoor sculpture ‘Amergin’ in Corten Steel. 6metres in height.
2013	Commissioned by Westport Town Council to design and complete ‘Sentinel’ a bronze sculpture 6metres in height. To celebrate Westport being awarded the Irish Times ‘Best place to live in Ireland’
2019	Commissioned by Billingsly Corporation Dallas, Texas to design and complete Icarus. Sculpture in Corten and Bronze. 10metres high. Sculpture installed November 2019

2022

Commissioned by Billingsly Corporation Dallas, Texas to design and complete ‘Tree Boat’. Sculpture in Bronze. 3.5m high.