Chris Wilson ARUA
Chris Wilson was born in 1959 in Glengormley, Co.Antrim. He gained a B.A.(Hons) Fine Art from Brighton Polytechnic in 1982 and an M.A. Fine Art from the University of Ulster in 1985. His first exhibitions were in Belfast at the Crescent Art Centre (1985), the Fenderesky Gallery (1986) and the Project Arts Centre, Dublin (1987). In 1987 he was awarded the Bass Ireland Arts Award and since then he has exhibited widely throughout Ireland, UK, Germany and USA. His work is represented in many public and private collections including the Office of Public Works, Dublin, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin, the Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Bombardier, Montreal and Irish Life, amongst others. He has completed several large scale public realm commissions including most recently “Gateway” (2015) Centenary Quay, Southampton for Crest Nicholson; “Trading Place” (2014) in Newry, Co.Down : “Timeline” (2013) Dungannon; “Shorelines “(2011) at Jordanstown Loughshore Park, “Threads of Time” (2010) at Theatre Place, Mossley Mill and “Riverlines” at Toome Bypass commissioned by TIDAL in 2006. Recent exhibitions have included solo shows at The Doorway Gallery, Dublin (Small Islands, 2014 & Land and Sea, 2012), the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh (Land Marks, 2011), and group exhibitions include in 2015 the 134th Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast where he was awarded the RUA Gold Medal and The Paul Henry Landscape Prize; “30/30” CAST at the Solomon Gallery, Dublin (2015); “20/21”, The Doorway Gallery at the Royal College of Art, London (2015); Irish Art in Cambridge, The Gordon Gallery at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University (2014); “Unfold”, RUA RED, South Dublin Arts Centre, Dublin (2014) & Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry & Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast.