Felim Egan facts for kids

Felim Egan (born November 8, 1952 – died November 19, 2020) was a famous Irish painter. He was known for his unique style of abstract art, which often featured simple shapes and calm colors. His paintings are displayed in many important museums around the world.

About Felim Egan

Early Life and Education

Felim Egan was born in County Donegal, Ireland. He went to St Columb's College in Derry for his early education. After that, he studied art in different cities, including Belfast, Portsmouth, and at the Slade School of Art in London. He later lived and worked in Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland.

His Painting Style

Felim Egan painted what are called abstracts. This means his paintings didn't show real-life objects or people exactly as they look. Instead, he used shapes, colors, and lines to express ideas or feelings.

His paintings often featured simple shapes, like squares, that seemed to float on a canvas with one main color. He created a special, almost dream-like look in his art. He did this by painting many thin layers of acrylic paint mixed with powdered stone. This technique made his colors look deep and soft.

Awards and Recognition

Felim Egan's art was recognized internationally. He represented Ireland at two big art events: the Paris Biennale in 1980 and the São Paulo Art Biennial in 1985. A "Biennale" is a large art exhibition that happens every two years.

In 1993, he won a very important award called the Premier UNESCO Prize for the Arts in Paris. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that promotes education, science, and culture. He also received the Gold Award at Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1997.

Felim Egan was a member of Aosdána, which is an Irish organization that honors artists who have made important contributions to the arts in Ireland.

Major Exhibitions

His artwork was shown in many major art galleries and museums. Some of his important exhibitions included:

• The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, England (1995–1996)
• The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland (1995–1996)
• The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the Netherlands (1999)

Where to See His Art

Felim Egan's paintings are part of the permanent collections in many well-known museums and galleries. This means you can often see his work there. Some of these places include:

• Fritz-Winter-Haus, Moderne Kunst Museum, Ahlen, Germany
• Ulster Museum, Belfast
• The Arts Council of Ireland
• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
• Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
• University College, Dublin
• Office of Public Works, Dublin
• Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
• City Art Gallery, Edinburgh
• Trinity College, Dublin
• National Gallery of Ireland
• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.
• Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam