Cian McLoughlin was born in 1977 in Dublin, Ireland. He graduated from University College of Dublin in 2002.

 

McLoughlin’s paintings focus on portraits and urban architecture. McLoughlin often uses vibrant, unconventional colors for his portraits, such as pure neon orange and lemon yellow. In contrast, his urban landscape paintings feature a more somber palette. His work shows extreme fluidity and intuitive brush marks that come together loosely to form the features of his sitters that are just decipherable enough through the haphazard myriad of brushstrokes. McLoughlin’s subjects vary from homeless, Irish emigrants to self-portraits, to family members. McLoughlin’s mother, also a painter, influenced him greatly to become a painter himself. He also works with chalk on paper, similar to his paintings in the unconventional skin colors paired with precise draftsmanship.

 

Cian McLoughlin has exhibited in both in the US and in Ireland. McLoughlin was included the 150th Anniversary of the National Portrait Gallery in London, and was awarded the Don Niccolo D’Ardia Caracciolo RHA Medal and Award by the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin as part of their annual exhibition. In 2014, he received the presigious Hennessey Portrait Prize. McLoughlin has been with the J. Cacciola Gallery since 2013.

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