Resided in Berlin for Twenty Two Years
Born in Dublin in 1952, John Noel Smith attended Dun Laoghaire School of Art followed by postgraduate studies in Berlin. He lived in Berlin for twenty two years where he was an important member of its vibrant art community, returning to Ireland in 2002. He has exhibited internationally since 1980 and is a member of Aosdana. His work forms part of important public collections, including the Irish Museum of Modern Art and Berlinische Galerie, the state museum of modern art in Berlin.
View ‘Ogham’ within the Collection
Ogham by John Noel Smith
Solo Exhibitions
- Tower Buttress & String Ogham, Hillsboro fine art, Dublin, 2012
- John Noel Smith & Anthony Caro, Waterhouse & Dodd, London, UK, 2012
- Pask I Forstugan, Konsthallen Hishult, Sweden, 2012
- Opera festival exhibition, Wexford Art Centre, Wexford, 2012
- Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2011
- The Fold, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Ireland, 2011
- The Fold, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, Ireland, 2011
- Studies in paint: Jonathan Lasker and John Noel Smith, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, Ireland 2010
- Pandect, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, Ireland, 2009
- J. Cacciola Gallery, New York, USA, 2008
- Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2008
- New paintings, VEC Wexford, Wexford, Ireland, 2008
- Vangard Gallery, Cork, Ireland, 2007
- Sligo Art Centre, Sligo, Ireland, 2007
- Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2005
- Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, Ireland, 2005
- Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, N.-Ireland, 2005
- Garter Lane Gallery, Waterford, Ireland, 2005
- Eígse Art Festival, Carlow, Ireland, 2005
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 2005
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 2004
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 2002
- Royal Hibernian Academy, Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 2002
- Irish Embassy Berlin, Germany, 2000
- Gallery Leger, Malmö, Sweden, 1999
- Galerie Großkinsky and Brümmer, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1999
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1999
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1998
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1998
- Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1997
- Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1996
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1996
- Galerie Großkinsky and Brümmer, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1996
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1994
- DIN Haus der Normung, Berlin, Germany, 1993
- Gallery Leger, Malmö, Sweden, 1992
- Gallery Lars Bohman, Stockholm, Sweden, 1991
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1991
- RHK, Irish museum of modern art , Dublin, Ireland, 1990
- Gallery Lars Bohman (Galleri 16), Stockholm, Sweden
- Gallery Pilou Asbaek, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1989
- Gallery Clemens, Aarhus, Denmark, 1989
- Gallery Eleni Koroneou, Athen, Greece, 1989
- Galerie Folker Skulima, Berlin, Germany, 1988
- Gallery 16, Stockholm, Sweden, 1987
- Gallery Tempo, Stockholm, Sweden, 1987
- Galerie Van Alom, Berlin, Germany, 1987
- Gallery Clemens, Aarhus, Denmark, 1986
- Galerie Folker Skulima, Berlin, Germany, 1986
- Gallery 16, Stockholm, Sweden, 1985
- Gallery Leger, Malmö, Sweden, 1985
- Gallery Wallner, Malmö, Sweden, 1984
- Projects Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland, 1983
- Gallery 16, Stockholm, Sweden, 1983
- Peacock Theatre Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1982
- Gallery Wallner, Malmö, Sweden, 1982
- Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, Ireland, 1980
- Project Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland, 1978
Group Exhibitions
- “Collected, Irish and international paintings and sculpture, Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin , 2014
- “183th” annual exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland, 2013
- “six abstract painters”, Gallery James Wray&Company, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2013
- The Original Print Show, Waterhouse& Dodd, London, UK, 2012
- “181th” annual exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland, 2011
- Inaugural Exhibition St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, 2011
- “Eìgse” Arts Festival, Carlow, Ireland, 2010
- Rounda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, 2009
- Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, Ireland, 2006-2012
- Hillsboro Fine Art, Dublin, Ireland, 2008-2012
- 178th annual exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, 2008
- Substrata, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Ireland, 2007
- Painting by other means, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno, Wales, 2006
- Other Visions, Purdy/Hicks Gallery, London, 2006
- Collectors’ Collections, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast,Northern Ireland, 2006
- Garden of Earthly Delights, Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, touring show, 2005
- Summer group exhibition, Fenton Gallery, 2005
- 175 anniversary exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland, 2005
- Siar 50, IMMA, Dublin, Ireland, 2005/2006
- Berlinische Galerie, State Museum for Modern Art, Photography and Architecture, Berlin, Germany, 2004/2005
- In the Time of Shaking, Irish Artists for Amnesty , 2004
- International, IMMA, Dublin, Ireland, 2004
- Graphic Studio Gallery Dublin, Ireland, 2004
- Colour Chart, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast, N.-Ireland, 2003
- Works on paper, Green on Red, Dublin, Ireland, 2002
- Insight, Ennistymon, Ireland, 2000
- Contemporary works on paper, Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1999
- Claremorris open exhibition, Claremorris Co.Mayo, Ireland, 1998
- Schwarz-Weiss, Galerie Volker Diehl and Galerie Van Alom, Berlin , Germany, 1998
- The Figure Show, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co.Cork, Ireland, 1997
- Small Paintings, Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, 1997
- Chalk Circle, Galerie Michael Fuchs, Berlin, Germany, 1997
- Galerie Großkinsky and Brümmer, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1996
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1994
- Kunst in Europa, 16 Artists in Germany, 1994
- Galerie Neher, Essen, Germany, 1994
- Galerie Biemolds, Groningen, Holland, 1992
- Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1991
- Berliner Tagebuch, Traveling Exhibition, Germany/Spain, 1989
- Gallery Clemens, Aarhus, Denmark, 1986
- Galerie Folker Skulima, Berlin, Germany, 1986
- Galleriy Leger, Malmö, Sweden, 1985
- Berlin 84 Malerei, Galerie Garage, Berlin, Germany, 1984
- University Collage, U.C.D., Dublin, Ireland, 1983
- Gallery 16, Stockholm, Sweden, 1983 -1989
- Freie Berliner Kunstausstellung, Berlin, Germany, 1983
- Oireachteas Art Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland, 1979/80
- Irish Exhibition of Living Art, Dublin, Ireland, 1979
Awards Bursaries and Sponsorships
- Alice Hammerschlag Award (Arts Council, Northern Ireland), 1977
- Arts Council Project Award, An Chomhairle Ealaion , the Arts Council Ireland, 1977
- DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), Stipendium, Berlin, Germany, 1980
- Bursary An Chomhairle Ealaion/The Arts Council Ireland, 1982
- Aer Lingus Transport Sponsorship, 1990
- Bursary An Chomhairle Ealaion , the Arts Council Ireland, 1993
- Deutsche Lufthansa Transport Sponsorship, 1996
- Aer Lingus Transport Sponsorship, 1998
- Bursary An Chomhairle Ealaion , the Arts Council Ireland , 2000
- Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin, Ireland, 2000
- Bursary An Chomhairle Ealaion, the Arts Council Ireland, 2005
- Elected to Aosdána, 2005
Bibliographie
- “Paintings 1982-1983”, John Noel Smith, Project Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland, 1983.
- Essay by Alistair Rowan, Principal of the College of Art Edinburgh, Scotland. (Formerly Director of the Department of Art History, The National University of Ireland).
- “Berlin ´84 Malerei”, Galerie Garage, Berlin, Germany, 1984, Essay by Hermann Wiesler, Professor for Art History at the “Hochschule der Künste”, Berlin, Germany.
- “John Noel Smith Paintings 1984-1985″, Galleriy16, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Galleri Leger, Malmö, Sweden, 1985. Essay by Aidan Dunne, Sunday Tribune, Ireland.
- “John Noel Smith”, Galerie Folker Skulima, Berlin, Germany and Galleri 16, Stockholm, Sweden, 1986. Essay by Aidan Dunne, Sunday Tribune, Ireland.
- “John Noel Smith – Paintings / Pastels”, Gallery Lars Bohman, Stockholm, Sweden, Gallery Clemens, Aarhus Denmark, Gallery Pilou Asbaek, Kopenhagen, Denmark, Galerie Folker Skulima and Volker Diehl, Berlin, Germany, 1989, essay by Richard Cooper, Berlin, Germany.
- “Berliner Tagebuch”, Travelling Exhibition from the Press and Information Office, Berlin, Germany, 1989, Essay by Wolfgang Max Faust, Berlin, Germany.
- “Kunst in Europa”, 16 Aritsts in Germany, Galerie Neher, Essen, Germany, 1994, Essay by Dr.Tayfun Belgin, Direktor Museum am Ostwall, Dortmund.
- “John Noel Smith Paintings 1992 -1995”. Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, Essay by Aidan Dunne, Sunday Tribune, Ireland.
- “John Noel Smith 8 Paintings”, Green on Red Gallery, 1998.
- “John Noel Smith Paintings 1997-1998″, Galerie Volker Diehl, Berlin, Essay by Martina Peters, Germany.
- “John Noel Smith – Knots and Oghams” 1999, Green on Red Gallery
- “John Noel Smith – five spaces” 2000, Berlin Germany, essay by Martina Peters
- “John Noel Smith, a survey exhibition, paintings 1992 – 2002”, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, 2002 , essay by Caoimhin Mac Giolla Leith, Foreword and interview: Patrick T. Murphy
- “United Field paintings 2001 – 2005”, Green on Red Gallery, Dublin, Essay by Medb Ruane
- “Profile John Noel Smith”, Gandon Editions, introduction and interview by Aidan Dunne, essay by Medb Ruane
- “Pandect series”, Hillsboro Fine Art, essay by Caoimhìn Mac Giolla Leith
- “Jonathan Lasker & John Noel Smith”, Hillsboro Fine Art, essay by John Daly
- “The Fold”, Hillsboro Fine Art, essay by Theo Dorgan
- “John Noel Smith & Anthony Caro”, Waterhouse & Dodd, essay by Lynne Green
Selected Articles and Reviews
- Lynch, Brian, “Ugly Energy”, in: Hibernia Magazine, Ireland, January 1978
- Hutchinson, John, “An Irish Artist who wont say goodbye to Berlin”, in: Sunday Press,Ireland, 4 September 1983
- Dunne, Aidan, “Arts in Ireland”, in: Irish Times, Ireland, 16 July 1985
- Wulffen, Thomas, “Ein Ire in Berlin – John Noel Smith bei Skulima”, in: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, Germany, 5 October 1986
- Dunne,Aidan, “Walls are tumbling down”, in: Sunday Press, Dublin, Ireland, 21 September 1986
- Heimann, Helmut, “Irisches Berlin – John Noel Smith bei Van Alom”, in: Zitty Magazin, Berlin, Germany, 24 Septembr – October 1987
- Stam, Cecilia, “Ironi pa tragisk grund”, in: Svenska Dagsbladet, Stockholm, Sweden, 14 March 1987
- Dunne, Aidan, “Flying the Irish Flag in Berlin”, in: The Sunday Tribune, Dublin,Ireland, 2 September 1990
- Fallon, Brian, “Paintings by John Noel Smith at R.H.K.”, in: Irish Times, Dublin, Ireland, 4 October 1990
- Barret, Cyril, “Dublin Commentary”, in: art monthly, No. 140, Great Britain, October 1990
- Dunne, Aidan, “John Noel Smith – Royal Hospital Kilmainham”, in: Circa Magazine Ireland, No. 55, Jan/Feb. 1991
- Franke, Renate, “Weichgespültes – Berliner Künstler in Potsdam”, in: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, Germany, 21 August 1992
- Kreis, Elfi, “Orange und Grün, aber unpolitisch”, in: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, Germany, 18 August 1993
- Herbstreuth, Peter, “Die Bewahrung der Sichtbarkeit”, in: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin,Germany, 7 April 1994
- Schürmann,”Europa in Kunststücken”, Essener Galerie Neher on the Martina occasion of the EU summit, in: NRZ, 26 November 1994
- Nieder, Susanna “Porträt John Noel Smith”, in: Iren und Briten in Berlin, die Ausländerbeauftragte des Senats, Berlin, 1996
- Ruane, Medb “John Noel Smith, Temple Bar Gallery Dublin”, in: The Sunday Times, Great Britain, 11 August 1996
- Fallon, Brian, “Tastefull, but no surprises – John Noel Smith”, Temple Bar Gallery Dublin”, in: The Irish Times, Ed. No. 44,597, 12 August 1996
- Berg, Ronald “Freiheit braucht Halt – Bilder von John Noel Smith in der Galerie Volker Diehl”, in : Der Tagesspiegel, No. 15772, Berlin, 12 October 1996
- Kruse, Volkart, „Ein Ire in Berlin – John Noel Smiths abstrakte Zeichenwelt“, in: Ticket Berlin, no. 3838, 19 – 25 September 1999
- Effmert, Viola, Impuls für den Kunstmarkt: European Art Forum in Berlin“, in: Die Welt am Sonntag, no.43, 27,October 1996
- Rump Gerhard Charles “Bilder von der Faszination der Monumentalität der Baustellen“, in: Die Welt, Saturday, 4 November 1998
- Dunne, Aidan, „Artists at work”, the Irish Times, Ireland, 12 May 1998
- Lovett, Marian, “John Noel Smith”, The Sunday Times , Ireland, 12 May 1998
- Könches, Barbara “Fern der Heimat auf der Suche nach den Kulturwurzeln”, BNN, Germany, !6 Februar 1999
- Humphries, Jane, “Dublin 1” (watching the paint dry), Circa 90, 1999
- Dunne, Aidan, “You’ve got to trust your eyes” , Irish Times 9. September 2002
- Hartigan, Marianne“A splash of colour, a dash of myth”, Sunday Tribune, 15. September 2002
- Groarke, Vona, “John Noel Smith”, Galleries, October 2002
- Shanley, Valerie, “Goodbye to Berlin”, Sunday Tribune, 25 April 2004
- Dunne, Aidan, “United field paintings”, John Noel Smith, Irish Times, 30 April 2004
- Dunne, Aidan, “Well-judged construction before the builders move in”, Irish Times, 2 February 2005
- Dunne, Aidan, “Something for everyone at Eìgse”, Irish Times, June 2005
- Bennett, Ciaran,“Assimilation & Interpretation”, Irish Arts Review, Autumn 2005
- Dunne, Aidan,“Drawing on the spirit of its space”, Substrata, Irish Times, Feb. 2007
- Dunne, Aidan,“John Noel Smith, Sligo Art Gallery”, Irish Times; the ticket, 2 March 2007
- Dunne, Aidan,Blurring the boundaries”, Irish Times,24 October 2007
- Dunne, Aidan,“Negotiating images of home and away”, Irish Times, 18 November 2009
- Bennett, Ciaran, “John Noel Smith: Pandect”, Irish Arts Review, Nov. 2009- Feb.2010
- Dunne, Aidan,“Capturing the rhythm of 30 years”, Irish Times, 16 June 2010
- Looby, David,“Smith and Hanlon at the Arts centre”, Wexford Echo, 23 October 2012
- Leach Hughes,“John Noel Smith – Tower Buttress and String Ogham”, Sunday Times, 6 October 2013
Television Documentary
- Beate Frilling, Anne Francoise Perin: „John Noel Smith, ein Porträt“ (a portrait), Medienwerkstatt Berlin e.V., 1989, Germany
- “The View, John Noel Smith: Nissan Art Project“, RTE 1, 10.September 2002
- “Rattle bag” RTE radio 1, September 2002
Website:
http://www.hillsborofineart.com/
Youtube Links: