Declan Campbell is a graduate of NCAD and he retired from teaching in 2010 to concentrate on painting. He is a member of the VAI and Dun Laoghaire Artists Network.
Since retirement Declan has had two solo exhibitions. In November 2013 he had his first solo exhibition at Gallery 27, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. It was officially opened by Carey Clarke PPRHA. In March 2015 he had his second solo exhibition in the same location which was officially opened by Professor Anne O'Gara, President of the Marino Institute of Education. Declan has exhibited work in the Stone Gallery, Spiddal, Co. Galway, Oireachtas Exhibition Dublin, RHA annual exhibition, the Doorway Gallery, South Frederick Street Dublin and Open Window Gallery, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
In 1976 he commenced teaching art in Rosary College in Crumlin, Dublin 12. In 1990 his teaching career continued in Loreto College, 53 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
In 1976 he was awarded a postgraduate scholarship by the Arts Council for study abroad and studied stage design in Salzburg Austria. In 1976 he graduated from NCAD. In 1975 he was awarded a Mural commission by the then Board of Public Works, St. Stephen's Green. In 1973 he was awarded a three year scholarship by the NCAD board. In 1971 he won the Navan Carpets design scholarship and commenced his studies at NCAD. During his time as a student at St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Declan and fellow artist John Higgins were awarded a commission to paint The Stations of the Cross for the Oratory at Garbally college under the guidance of their art teacher Eileen Quinn ANCA.
Since retirement Declan has had two solo exhibitions. In November 2013 he had his first solo exhibition at Gallery 27, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. It was officially opened by Carey Clarke PPRHA. In March 2015 he had his second solo exhibition in the same location which was officially opened by Professor Anne O'Gara, President of the Marino Institute of Education. Declan has exhibited work in the Stone Gallery, Spiddal, Co. Galway, Oireachtas Exhibition Dublin, RHA annual exhibition, the Doorway Gallery, South Frederick Street Dublin and Open Window Gallery, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
In 1976 he commenced teaching art in Rosary College in Crumlin, Dublin 12. In 1990 his teaching career continued in Loreto College, 53 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
In 1976 he was awarded a postgraduate scholarship by the Arts Council for study abroad and studied stage design in Salzburg Austria. In 1976 he graduated from NCAD. In 1975 he was awarded a Mural commission by the then Board of Public Works, St. Stephen's Green. In 1973 he was awarded a three year scholarship by the NCAD board. In 1971 he won the Navan Carpets design scholarship and commenced his studies at NCAD. During his time as a student at St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Declan and fellow artist John Higgins were awarded a commission to paint The Stations of the Cross for the Oratory at Garbally college under the guidance of their art teacher Eileen Quinn ANCA.
Artist's Statement
Declan's most recent paintings have been completed in the medium of oil paint on linen canvas. He enjoys looking at, perceiving and expressing the shimmering effects of light on glass. He is observing how forms looked at through glass, become distorted, transfigured and abstracted and the colour effects combined with strong changing light become wonderful and enchanting. The visual refraction of light on glass and metalic forms is exciting and captivating.
The light fractures form and splinters colour and tone. Form, shape, structure and the outlines of forms are dissolved and changed into electrifying beacons of light. Sunlight on glass creates shimmering and dazzling effects of contrasting colour fields.
The temperature of the color is a consideration as is its transparency and semi-transparency and opaqueness. Complementary colours maximize the brilliance and intensity of colour. Glazing, scumbling and dry brush techniques are used to further modify, enhance and adjust the colour contrast and colour relationships to achieve overall harmony. Declan builds up the areas of colour on the canvas in overlapping layers to eventually achieve the correct pitch.
The light fractures form and splinters colour and tone. Form, shape, structure and the outlines of forms are dissolved and changed into electrifying beacons of light. Sunlight on glass creates shimmering and dazzling effects of contrasting colour fields.
The temperature of the color is a consideration as is its transparency and semi-transparency and opaqueness. Complementary colours maximize the brilliance and intensity of colour. Glazing, scumbling and dry brush techniques are used to further modify, enhance and adjust the colour contrast and colour relationships to achieve overall harmony. Declan builds up the areas of colour on the canvas in overlapping layers to eventually achieve the correct pitch.
Circa 1992
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Dispensing with preparatory drawings Declan makes all his alterations and modifications directly on the linen surface of the canvas. He wipes away fluid oil paint with a cloth and reworks an area of the painting to correct and modify it until finally a satisfactory framework composition is achieved. This will be worked on and developed into the final painting. Evaluating the evolution of the work in progress, responding to compositional problems and discovering solutions and making changes allows the painting to develop and achieve eventual statis.
Declan likes to paint the main forms in the foreground and background close up. He finds inspiration in the perception of the everyday enviroment and the visual stimulus of its colours and fluctuating and dramatic light effects. Arthur Koestler wrote in his book 'The Act of Creation' that 'The innocent eye is a fiction' and that the mind is the real instrument of sight and observation.
Declan admires the work of the San Francisco Bay area figurative painters including Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn. He also likes the paintings of Alexei von Jawlensky and Andre Derain.
Declan likes to paint the main forms in the foreground and background close up. He finds inspiration in the perception of the everyday enviroment and the visual stimulus of its colours and fluctuating and dramatic light effects. Arthur Koestler wrote in his book 'The Act of Creation' that 'The innocent eye is a fiction' and that the mind is the real instrument of sight and observation.
Declan admires the work of the San Francisco Bay area figurative painters including Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn. He also likes the paintings of Alexei von Jawlensky and Andre Derain.