Artist Alan Tarpey
“Working from a small rural Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon studio, I, artist Alan Tarpey, in each work, aim to carry the message on show
Whether it’s people, places. flora or fauna, Each work is designed to be the visual equivalent of a sauna.
Within its four corners, vibrant, relaxing and warm, pen, ink, and watercolour pastel, my mediums, keep me on form.
My creative process is under no pressure, drawing cues from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and M.C Escher
A fifth of pointillism, four fifths of small and large detail, each piece is designed to hook the audience without fail.”
I love painting familiar people and the buildings they inhabit, using pen, ink, and watersoluble pastel on acrylic paper to bring out the colour of the subjects. A scene in real life is further enhanced by my stroke.
I started with my own native Roscommon and proceeded to illustrate every enjoyable spot I encountered along my daily path, be it cycling, walking or visiting town or city by bus.
I embed the humorous aspects of life where relevant and social commentary is provided in the form of signs and billboards in windows, on walls and on the ground within the subject chosen.
My repertoire has expanded to Galway, Athlone, other parts of the country and abroad. Animals such as lambs are a main feature in smaller size pieces. I also leave room in my oeuvre for fictional subjects as well, from TV shows to video games.
Click the button below to view artwork for sale in the Gallery Shop.
Exhibitions, Highlights, and Showcases:
2026 – Connecting Artists Collective Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
2025 – Connecting Artists group show in the RHA, Dublin
2025 – Connecting Artists Collective Exhibition and Late Night Art, University of Atypical, Atypical Gallery, Belfast
2025 – Artsource, RDS, Dublin
2024 – Connecting Artists Collective Exhibition, RHA, Dublin
2024 – Art workshop teaching in the RHA, Dublin
2024 – Connecting Artists group show in the University of Atypical, Belfast
2024 – Artsource, RDS, Dublin
2023 – Connecting Artists Collective Exhibition and Late Night Art, University of Atypical, Atypical Gallery, Belfast
2023 – Athlone Art Gallery Christmas group show
2022 – Connecting Artists Exhibition in the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin
2022 – Foxy John’s Dingle, commission for Miriam O’Callaghan
2022 – Art teaching session in Tullamore, Co. Offaly
2021 – New Art & Craft Fair, Gillooly Hall, Sligo
2021 – Athlone Art Gallery Christmas group show, Athlone
2020 – Featured on Trinity College website for Covid arts special for the poem “The Mesh Mince of Art Ware”
2020 – Christmas group art exhibition in Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
2019 – Solo Exhibition, “Sword Art Offline”, Brothers of Charity West Region, Roscommon
2019 – Commission for retiring Principal Carmel Kelly in Brideswell NS, South Roscommon
2019 – Commission for Professor Mary Mc Carron in Trinity College, Dublin
2017 – Solo Exhibition, “Homefront” at Murrays, Knockcroghery
2016 – Group show, “Lost and Found” at Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin
2016 – Solo Exhibition, “Homeland” in Knockcroghery old school, supported by Roscommon County Council
2016 – Feature on Roscommon County Matters, Irish TV
2015 – Galway Fringe Festival, “Souls of the Tribes”, Galway
2015 – Beyond Outsider Art group show, Copper House Gallery, Dublin with Brent Pope
2015 – Brent Pope Inside Out documentary feature, one of five selected out of about 500 artists entered, on RTÉ One
2015 – Piece “My Shop Galway” purchased by former IMMA curator and art historian Catherine Marshall
2015 – Beyond Outsider Art group show, City Hall, Cork
2015 – solo exhibition at Social Inclusion week opening, Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, invited by Roscommon County Council
2014 – invited, solo exhibition, Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, “Solstice”
2014 – group show, Galway Fringe Festival Art exhibition
2013 – Art trail, solo, Roscommon Lamb Festival
2013 – Showcase, craft fair at Brideswell Pattern festival, Athlone
2013 – Solo Exhibition, Comfy Cafe, Roscommon, “Roscommon Gathering”
2012 – Solo Exhibition, Bastion Gallery, Athlone “Regeneration X”
Alan’s Artist Spotlight Video
Take a look at Alan’s Artist Spotlight video from the inaugural Connecting Artists programme in 2022. To hear, first hand, what makes Alan’s art work so unique and a little bit about his experience in the programme.
Click the red arrow on the video on the right to view on YouTube.
To view artwork and images of the Artist, click the arrows on the left and right on the slideshow below, to scroll through.
