About
Mac Athlaoich’s paintings attempt to arrive at a point of abstraction by ways of exploring their materiality, process and perception. His works sit between figuration and abstraction, exploring the space between. Utilising source material from press, online social platforms as well as self documentation form a starting point to constantly explore varying themes through a both a political and poetic lens.
Colm Mac Athlaoich (b. 1980, Dublin, Ireland), studied at The National College of Art and Design, Dublin and Sint Luca, Brussels where he is now based. He has studied and worked with master printmakers of both The Graphic and The Black Church Print Studios. He was co-founder and co-director of Monster Truck Gallery and studios, Dublin. His earlier career as printmaker, illustrator and musician informs his painting practice. He exhibits extensively and has works in a number of Collections.
Recent exhibitions include The Art of Sport, Butler Gallery, IRE. Sweat, Grove Gallery Berlin, GER. Percept, Luan Gallery, IRE. Percept / Ethos, Galaria Webber, Turin, ITA. Percept / Pathos, Grove Collective, London, UK. Body Language and Truth, Atelier Coliseum, Brussels, BE. Elsewhere to be found, Farmleigh Estate, Dublin, IRE. Una Terrible Belleza, Rizoma Galeria, Madrid.
CV
2019 - MFA in Fine Art, LUCA school of Art, Brussels, Belgium.
2011 - Post Graduate Diploma in Art and Design Education The National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
2004 - Bachelor Degree of Arts in Fine Art Printmaking The National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
Solo exhibitions
2026 - Duende, Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
2026 - On the cusp of happiness and other people’s sunsets, Knight of Glinn room, City Assembly building, Dublin, IRE
2024 - The solemn geography of human limits, Glovebox, Dublin, IRE
2023 - Tears, Chappelle Grand Hospic, Bruxelles, BE
2022 - Autrefois, Grove Collective, London, UK
2021 - Percept / Ethos, Galleria Weber, Turin, ITA
2021 - Percept /Logos, Hangtough Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2021 - Percept /Pathos, Grove Collective, London, UK
2021 - Percept, Luan Gallery, Athlone, West Meath, IRE
2020 - Body language and Truth, Atelier Coliseum, Brussels, BE
2018 - The Waiting Game, Galleria Weber, Turin, ITA
2018 - Elsewhere, To Be Found, Cowshed Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2017 - Una Terrible Belleza, Rizoma Galeria, Madrid, ES
2017 - Travelling without moving, Pallas Projects, Dublin, IRE
2016 - _New Works_, Made Dublin, IRE
2013 - _Botox_, Unit H, Market Studios, Dublin, IRE
2011 - _Temple Bar Revisited_, painting and performance, Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2007 - _Politicians, Musicians, Movers and Shakers_, Gallery No.1, Dublin, IRE
2007 - _Release the Hounds and Send in the Clowns_, Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin, IRE
Two person exhibitions
2020 - 1001 Shows, Pallas Projects, Dublin, IRE
2008 - _The Men Who Killed The Easter Bunny_, CSM, Cork, IRE
2008 - _The Secret Itch_, The White Room art Gallery, Galway, IRE
2006 - _New Works_, The White Room art Gallery, Galway, Flow, IRE
Group exhibitions
2025 - Little Lights, Paul Smith, London, UK
2024 - Saints and Sinners, Chappelle Grand Hospice, Bruxelles, BE
2024 - Heart shaped, Hippodrone, Brussels, BE
2023 - The Art of Sport, Butler Gallery, IRE
2023 - Sweat, Grove Berlin, GER
2022 - Art2Cure, BIL, Luxembourg
2022 - Páipéir, Hangtough, Dublin. IE
2020 - Re-Settled, Piano Fabriek, Brussels, BE
2016 - Out of Print, The Library Project, Dublin, IRE
2016 - Conversations (OPW) The Casino in Marino, IRE
2016 - Conversations (OPW) Farmleigh House, IRE
2015 - From Cover to Canvas, Kings Inns, Dublin, IRE
2015 - A Natural Selection / Blue House Gallery, Cork, IRE
2014 - A Natural Selection / Hamilton Gallery, Cork, IRE
2014 - A Natural Selection / Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, IRE
2014 - A Natural Selection / Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, Swe
2014 - A Natural Selection / The Lavit Gallery, Cork, IRE
2014 - A Natural Selection / Greenacres Gallery, Wexford, IRE
2014 - A Natural Selection / National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, IRE
2013 - 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Palazzo Della Farnesina, Rome, IT
2013 - 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Biblioteka Uniwersytecka, Warszawa, PL
2013 - 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Centro Cultural Conde Duque, Madrid, ES
2013 - KTDOTL / Group show, Eight Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2012 - Production, Monster Truck Gallery
2011 - Pallas Periodical Review / Pallas Projects PP/S / group show.
2010 - Flow, Office of Public Works / DFP, IRE
2009 - Boxid Round II, Black Church Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2008 - Big Foot, Monster Truck Gallery / RHA, Dublin, IRE
2007 - Big Store, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Dublin, IRE
2005 - Circumstances, 7 Henrietta street, Dublin, IRE
2005 - Dead Art, The White Room Art Gallery, Galway, IRE
2005 - Emerging artists, Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2005 - London print Fair, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, GB
2004 - Christmas Show, Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2004 - Advent, Original Print Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2004 - NCAD Degree Show, NCAD, Dublin, IRE
2004 - Hermione, Alexandra College, Dublin, IRE
2004 - RHA 174th Exhibition, Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, IRE
2004 - Erasmus showcase, Academie Menerva, Groningen, NL
2003 - Iontas small works exhibition, Sligo, IRE
2003 - RDS Art Student Award RDS, Industries Hall, Dublin, IRE
2003 - Print Show, Cross Gallery, Dublin, IRE
Art Fairs
7 Rue Froissant, with The Black Chip, Paris Basel
Collections
Arts Council of Ireland Collection
Trinity College, The Provost's Fund for Contemporary Art, TCD Ireland The Office of Public Works, (OPW) Ireland
The National College of Art and Design
Hibernia REIT
Residencies and Awards
2025, Pada, Lisbon, Portgual
2019, Facebook HQ, Artist in Residence, Dublin
2017, Intercambiador Art residncy, Madrid
2017, Fingal County Council, art programing funding
2014 - 2015, Dublin City Council, Artist in Residence
2011- Royal Hibernian Academy, Studio residency
2004 - 2005 Graphic Studio Printmakers residency
2002, 2005, 2008, 2017 - Cyprus College of Art residency
Contact directly for pdf of available works