Felim Egan facts for kids

Felim Egan (born November 8, 1952 – died November 19, 2020) was a very talented Irish painter. He was known for his unique style of abstract art. His paintings often featured simple shapes that seemed to float on a single-colored background.

Life and Art of Felim Egan

Early Life and Education

Felim Egan was born in County Donegal, Ireland. He went to St Columb's College in Derry. After that, he studied art in different cities. He learned about art in Belfast and Portsmouth. He also studied at the famous Slade School of Art in London. Later in his life, he lived and worked in Sandymount, Dublin.

His Unique Painting Style

Felim Egan was famous for his "abstract" paintings. This means his art did not show real-life objects exactly. Instead, he used shapes, colors, and lines to express ideas or feelings. His paintings often had simple, ghostly squares. These squares looked like they were floating on a canvas with one main color.

He created a special feeling in his art. He built up colors by adding many thin layers of paint. He used acrylic paint mixed with powdered stone. This technique made his paintings look soft and dreamlike.

Awards and Exhibitions

Felim Egan's art was recognized around the world. In 1980, he represented Ireland at the Paris Biennale. This is a big international art exhibition. He also showed his work at the São Paulo Art Biennial in 1985.

He won important awards for his art. In 1993, he received the Premier UNESCO Prize for the Arts in Paris. This was a huge honor. He also won the Gold Award at Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1997. Felim Egan was a member of Aosdána. This is a special group for Irish artists.

His paintings were shown in major art galleries. The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester held an exhibition of his work. The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin also featured his art in 1995–96. In 1999, his work was displayed at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

Where to See His Art

Felim Egan's paintings are part of many important art collections. You can find his work in museums and galleries around the world. Here are some places where his art is kept:

• 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