Group Show: Dublin Through the Eyes of Its Artists: THE ORIEL GALLERY | Dublin

Gerard Byrne’s participation in The Oriel Gallery’s Group Show titled ‘Dublin Through the Eyes of Its Artists’, offers a unique opportunity to experience the city in a new light. Byrne’s skillful portrayal of distinct architecture placed amidst natural landscapes- leafy Ranelagh and Donnybrook; the blue-green waters of Grand Canal, cherry blossoms at Herbert Park or the seaside villages of Dalkey and Sandycove- become visual records, not just of beauty, but of a moment in time. His approach to painting mirrors the core of Impressionism, with subjects often being unlikely sights, everyday vignettes or subtle encounters with serenity that could easily be passed by. Like Monet’s repeated studies of the Thames River, Byrne returns to places, capturing the shifting play of light, shadow and perspective that change with each season and his ever-novel artist’s eye.

 “You can drive across fifty states or fly through the equator, but nothing is as stimulating, vivid or picturesque as Dublin on a sunny day.” - Gerard Byrne

As a plein air painter, Byrne’s relationship with the city transcends imitation—he becomes a part of any scene he paints. Standing on a particular corner or at a location for hours on end, Byrne attunes himself to the sounds, rhythms, and energy of the environment, channeling it into his work. This immersive process allows him to capture the vibrant views that define Dublin, juxtaposing iconic structures like Mansion House, Oscar Wilde House and the Shelbourne Hotel, with the soft nostalgia of National Botanic Gardens or St. Stephen’s Green. Through Byrne’s eyes, we witness a city in memoriam, in flux and in constant transformation, all at the same time.  

“​​The period architecture in Dublin is unique and I love painting it – the Georgian squares, the iconic doorways and the redbricks. There’s vast variety in the city’s shapes, tones and shades. For me, Dublin provides a great choice in terms of subject.” 

References have often been made to Harry Kernoff (1900 – 1974) and Flora Mitchell (1890 – 1973) when discussing Byrne’s practice. They were artists, who, like Byrne, were interested in depicting Dublin- its streets, structures and society, and their work has left an enduring legacy of a city that once was. The selection of Byrne’s works in this exhibition, reflect a reverence for Dublin, alive with detail and an elegance of proportions. It is also a chronicle of a now that is fleeting, transient like Kernoff’s or Mitchell’s whispers of time- a portrait of Gerard’s Dublin, its history and spirit preserved in each shade, brushstroke and capture of light.