Charles Harper RHA

Charles Harper was born in 1943 on Valentia Island. He studied at the National College of Art and Design, Limerick School of Art and the Graphic Studio in Dublin. He also studied film making in Germany.

Harper exhibits regularly in Ireland and abroad. His paintings are well known for their metaphoric themes, including boats, the human form, landscape and angels usually in painterly expressive form.

Harper has represented Ireland at International Biennials in many countries throughout his career. He has received many national awards for his painting, including first prize for his work commemorating the 1916 Rising at the Municipal gallery of Modern art in Dublin, the Carrols Open Award at the Irish Exhibition of Living Art in Dublin and The Arts councils Bonn an Uachtarain de Hide at the Oireachtas Art Exhibition. More recently he was awarded the BulBulia Award at the R.H.A. in 2008.

Harper's work is included in many important public and private collections including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Irish Arts council. He is also a member of Aosdana and the Royal Hibernian Academy.

“Painting being a cultural and creative activity should be accessible to all. Though it may also confuse the viewer. I find this totally understandable and acceptable, as art should challenge our perception and established aesthetic.“ Charles Harper