Studied at Limerick School of Art

Mike Fitzharris was born in Limerick in 1952. He studied at the Limerick School of Art and graduated in 1973. He then undertook post-graduate studies at the Hochschule für Bilden Kunst in Berlin from 1973 until 1976. On his return to Ireland he taught art in both Kerry and Dublin but now paints full time. He now lives and works in Dublin and in Marbella, Spain.

View “Low Tide” within the collection

Low Tide by Mike Fitzharris

Low Tide by Mike Fitzharris

Contemporary Painter

Fitzharris is a contemporary painter specializing in abstract landscapes. Painting landscapes from an aerial point of view, his palette of contrasting colours emphasizes his love of Spanish and Irish culture.

There are many happy accidents in my work. Accidents help stimulate new things in the painting that I can latch onto and use to complete the picture. I have a very good idea about what I’m going to do before I start but I’m open to things happening that weren’t planned and that means every painting is interesting to me without exception.”- Mike Fitzharris

His work is grounded in landscape. The pictorial perspective is invariably aerial which creates a tunnel view that the audience enters into visually. Paint is usually scratched into the surface and lines and shapes swirl as if controlled by natural forces. The colour is often Mediterranean in hue and he favours rich yellows, orange, vibrant greens and blues. Occasionally industrial or sensitive environmental circumstances are chosen as subject matter”. – Samuel Walsh

Mike has also represented Ireland in exhibitions in Canada, France, Slovenia, Wales, Belgium, Northern Ireland and England. He has received many national awards and grants, including the Taylor De Vere Award at the RHA in 1990, the Arts Council Award in 1996, Eigse’s Open Exhibition Award in 1997/2003, Royal Ulster Academy Award in 1999. His work can be found in many national collections including AIB Gropu, OPW, Boyle Civic Collection, and Dublin Port and Docks Authority.

Exhibitions

Vangard Gallery 2004

Dublin Port Centre 2003

Ashford Gallery 2002

Hillsboro Fine Art 1998/2000/2002

Wexford Arts Centre 1996

Pantheon Gallery 1993

Galerie Alexandre, Paris 1992

Oriel Gallery 1991

Riverrun Gallery 1990

Belltable Arts Centre Limerick, 1990

Regular exhibitor at the Royal Hibernian Academy

Awards

Taylor de Vere Award at the RHA

Arts Council Artflight Award

Royal Ulster Academy Award

Collections

Office of Public Works

Central Bank

Allied Irish Bank

Guinness

Mahon Bankers

Dublin Port Authority

Sea Link Ferries

Stena Line Sweden