His paintings represent a fusion of historic and contemporary artistic practices, uniting the Romantic aesthetic of Caspar David Friedrich, the political radicalism of Viennese Actionists and the technical
precision of the photorealists of the 1970’s. Although often based on photographs, or inspired by film stills, his paintings are built up in fine layers of traditional oil paint and represent a degree of
technical accomplishment rarely seen in European academies. He uses this technical accomplishment and finesse to carry across the strong political message contained in his art.

Peter MurrayDirector, The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork

GOTTFRIED HELNWEIN 'Irish and Other Landscapes'

July 3 – September 4 2004
Curator: Dawn Williams
Essay: Mic Moroney

The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery is one of Cork's most important public buildings. The older part of the structure dates from 1724 and was the Custom House for Cork until 1818. Afterwards it housed the Royal Cork Institution and its art classes for two decades, before becoming a school of design in 1850.Through the generosity of Cork art patron William Horatio Crawford a magnificent extension was added in 1884 in a Renaissance style, which blended perfectly with the early 18th century original structure. The tower marks the join between the two buildings.