The Arts Council has expressed its
deep regret at the passing of Aosdána member Brian King.
Sheila Pratschke, Chair of the Arts
Council said “Brian King was one of a number of important Irish artists
successfully engaging with international abstraction during the 60s and 70s.
His bold, metal sculptures particularly demonstrate a braveness and simplicity
that ensures their place within the story of Irish art history. The Council is
deeply saddened by his passing.”
Brian King was born in Dublin in 1942, he studied at the National
College of Art and Design, where he lectured for a number of years and was head
of the sculpture department. He had participated in the Irish Exhibition of
Living Art from 1964 to 1978, won the exhibition's Carroll's award in 1965, and
served as its president for 10 years. In 1969 and 1983 he represented Ireland
at the Paris Biennale, on the former occasion he became the first Irish artist
to win the major individual prize. His public commissions were typically
large-scale metal sculptures in an abstract, minimalist style, based on simple
geometric patterns. Solo exhibitions include Dawson Gallery, Dublin (1968, 74,
75); Ulster Museum, Belfast (1973); Project Arts Centre, Dublin (1980); Taylor
Galleries, Dublin (1979, 82, 88, 90) and the Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin
(1982). He had participated in major group exhibitions across Ireland and
Europe, and his work was held in public collections including the Hugh Lane
Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin; Crawford Municipal Gallery, Cork; RTÉ;
Bank of Ireland; Allied Irish Banks; University of Ulster and University
College Dublin.
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