www.robertshaw.ie
Robert Shaw b. Dublin 1964
-trained at Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design in the late nineteen eighties.
He lives in Donabate, a coastal village north of Dublin city. Shaw’s studio is situated high on the most easterly point of Howth head. From here he is inspired by the land and seascapes that stretch as far as the mountains of Mourne in the north, to the coast of Wales in the east. His work is also strongly influenced by the rich historical and spiritual heritage of the north Leinster coastline.
Shaw’s paintings sensuously capture the essence of shores and estuaries before and after the storm.
He uses light and reflection in a stirring way to evoke a sense of still and awe. Distorted viewpoints and depths of tone result in a curiosity for reference, drawing one deeper into the painting. The detail in the middle ground will often unveil a few surprises. The result is an ever-changing painting.
The conjoining of the land and sun are strong symbols. We find paintings within paintings which depict the ongoing timelessness of sunrises and sunsets. Shaw explores this sense of timelessness. The search for the big answers of life, death, heaven and earth are as relevant today as they have always been.
One is never alone when engaging the work. There is always a sense that your 'angel' is at your shoulder.
The artist demonstrates a gentle yet eager curiosity. He is probing for a kind of truth and insight into spirit, time and nature. Shaw’s paintings might appear to be about landscape, but they are more about identity and the human search for a sense of purpose and place unimpeded by the boundaries of time.
collections
Shaw’s paintings are held in important Corporate and Private Collections including:
Andrew Montague - Lord Mayor of Dublin - Ireland
Dr Edgar Mitchell - Lunar Module pilot Apollo 14 - USA
Ryan Tubridy - Broadcaster- Ireland
Graham Knuttel - Artist – Ireland
John O’Conor - concert pianist, Ireland
Adi Roche - Ireland
Fitzpatrick Hotel Group – Ireland
The Morgan Hotel - Temple Bar, Dublin -Ireland
The Hennessy Foundation – USA
Fingal County Council - Ireland
The Irish Arts Archive – Ireland
The Ford Collection – USA
Microsoft – USA
Bewleys Collection – Ireland
Doyle collection – Ireland
Eamonn Andrews Estate - Ireland
Robert Shaw joined Fine Art America on July 10th, 2012.
