Colm Mac Athlaoich (b. 1980, Dublin, Ireland) studied at The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland and at the LUCA school of art in Brussels, Belgium where he is now based. He has studied and worked with master printmakers of both The Graphic and The Black Church Print Studios. He was co-founder and co-director of Monster Truck Gallery and studios, Dublin. His earlier career as printmaker, illustrator and musician informs his painting practice. He exhibits extensively and has works in numerous collections. His paintings attempt to arrive at a point of abstraction by ways of exploring their materiality, process and perception. His works sit between figuration and abstraction, exploring the space between. Utilising source material from press, online social platforms as well as from self-documentation form a starting point to constantly explore varying themes through a both a political and poetic lens.
Solo exhibitions of Colm Mac Athlaoich include Tears, Chappelle Grand Hospice, Brussels, Belgium (2023); Autrefois, Grove Collective, London, UK (2022); Percept / Ethos, Galleria Weber, Turin, Italy (2021); Percept / Logos, Hangtough Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2021); Percept / Pathos, Grove Collective, London, UK (2021); Percept, Luan Gallery, Athlone, West Meath, Ireland (2021); Body language and Truth, Atelier Coliseum, Brussels, Belgium (2020); The Waiting Game, Galleria Weber, Turin, Italy (2020); Elsewhere, To Be Found, Cowshed Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2018); Una Terrible Belleza, Rizoma Galeria, Madrid, Spain (2017); Travelling without moving, Pallas Projects, Dublin, Ireland (2017); New Works, Made Dublin, Ireland (2016); Botox, Unit H, Market Studios, Dublin, Ireland (2013); Temple Bar Revisited (painting and performance), Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2011); Politicians, Musicians, Movers and Shakers, Gallery No.1, Dublin, Ireland (2017); Release the Hounds and Send in the Clowns, Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2007).
Group exhibitions include The Art of Sport, Butler Gallery, Ireland (2023); Sweat, Grove Berlin, GER 2022 - Art2Cure, BIL, Luxembourg (2023); Páipéir, Hangtough, Dublin, Ireland (2022); Re-Settled, Piano Fabriek, Brussels, Belgium (2020); Out of Print, The Library Project, Dublin, Ireland (2016); Conversations (OPW) The Casino in Marino, Ireland (2016); Conversations (OPW) Farmleigh House, Ireland (2016); From Cover to Canvas, Kings Inns, Dublin, Ireland (2015); A Natural Selection / Blue House Gallery, Cork, Ireland (2015); A Natural Selection / Hamilton Gallery, Cork, Ireland (2014); A Natural Selection / Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland (2014); A Natural Selection / Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, Sweden (2014); A Natural Selection / The Lavit Gallery, Cork, Ireland (2014); A Natural Selection / Greenacres Gallery, Wexford, Ireland (2014); A Natural Selection / National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, Ireland (2014); 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Palazzo Della Farnesina, Rome, Italy (2013); 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Biblioteka Uniwersytecka, Warszawa, Poland (2013); 40/40/40, OPW/ DFP, Centro Cultural Conde Duque, Madrid, Spain (2013); KTDOTL / Group show, Eight Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2013); Production, Monster Truck Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2013); Pallas Periodical Review / Pallas Projects PP/S / group show (2011); Flow, Office of Public Works / DFP, Ireland (2010); Boxid Round II, Black Church Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2009); Big Foot, Monster Truck Gallery / RHA, Dublin, Ireland (2008); Big Store, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Dublin, Ireland (2007); Circumstances, 7 Henrietta street, Dublin, Ireland (2005); Dead Art, The White Room Art Gallery, Galway, Ireland (2005); Emerging artists, Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2005); London print Fair, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2005); Christmas Show, Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2004); Advent, Original Print Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2004); NCAD Degree Show, NCAD, Dublin, Ireland (2004); Hermione, Alexandra College, Dublin, Ireland (2004); RHA 174th Exhibition, Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2004); Erasmus showcase, Academie Menerva, Groningen, Netherlands (2004); Iontas small works exhibition, Sligo, Ireland (2003); RDS Art Student Award RDS, Industries Hall, Dublin, Ireland (2003); Print Show, Cross Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2003).
