Martin Gale

Martin Gale has occupied an important place in Irish art since the 1990s. His photo-realist work responds to the Irish landscape, and how people interact with it. Employing both oils and watercolors his landscapes reject romantic ideals and create a dark and edgy commentary on rural life. For instance, in many of his compositions lonely figures look away from the viewer or circus tents and trampolines sit in deserted fields. 


In 1980, Martin Gale represented Ireland in the XI Biennale de Paris and has since represented Ireland abroad a number of times. His work has been shown in group and solo shows internationally, including John Martin Gallery, London, Fenton Gallery, Cork, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Taylor Galleries, Dublin, Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island, and Neptune Gallery, Dublin. He is a member of Aosdána and the RHA.


Courtesy of Irish Museum of Modern Art