Martin Hughes
I was born and raised in North County Dublin and have worked with my hands since I was a young boy. I worked with and learned from Artist and Cabinetmaker Jack Devaney, who showed me that every material has the possibility of a second life.
“Waste nothing, then don’t waste it again” was a sign above his door.
I studied painting and drawing with several Artists both in Germany and Ireland and work primarily in the medium of oil and pastel.
I draw inspiration from the environment, with specific focus on my experience and understanding of my surroundings. I also create Art from recycled wood and metal. I built my own workshop and studio solely from recycled materials and work under the philosophy that we are limited only by our imagination.
For many years I have been involved with several groups of Artists and creative people, and I do a lot of work with mental health projects. I have curated several large-scale Exhibitions and Open Submission Competitions and engage with Public Art Installations and percent for Art schemes in Schools and Colleges.
In 2016 I was awarded the Stephen Scarff Award for contribution to the Community.
The Ballerina Project is a continuation of that of work to bring people together through the creative process.
My work can be found in private collections in Ireland, UK, Germany, America, and New Caledonia.
I can be contacted through my website or Social Media channels as below:
“Art is simply that from within, brought by the Artist, outside” (Ian Fleming)
Exhibitions
Dec 2022: Boathouse Painters group Show, All Rooms, Skerries
Dec 2022 Dublin Story Grand Slam Finalist, Abbey Theatre
Sept 2022: Boathouse Painters Plein Air Exhibition, Seamus Ennis Arts Centre
Dec 2021 Boathouse Painters group Show, All Rooms, Skerries
Dec 2020: North Fingal Art Group Show, All Rooms, Skerries
Aug 2019: Dublin Story Slam Finalist, Sugar Club
June 2019: Balbriggan Art Trail Group Show
May 2018: Percent for Art Scheme, Fingal Community College Swords
April 2017 Artists Rest Workshop Open Submission Competition, Skerries (Director)
Dec 2017 Dublin Story Grand Slam Finalist, Abbey Theatre
Nov 2016 Stephen Scarff award for Service to Community and Arts
Sept 2016 Skerries Art Waves Festival, Group Show
Aug 2016 Creative Arts Group Show, Dublin
May 2016 Signal Arts Centre Group show Bray, Co. Wicklow
May 2016 The FACE of Fingal (Fingal Artists Creative Expo) 2nd Group show (Director, Exhibitor)
April 2016 “Waste Not Want Not” Exhibition of recycled material, Balbriggan
Dec 2015 Artists Rest Workshop Open Submission Competition, Balrothery Heritage Centre (Director)
Aug 2015 “The Story So Far II” Solo Exhibition, Skerries Mills
July 2015 Empire Arts Group Show, Swords, Co Dublin
March 2015 The FACE of Fingal (Fingal Artists Creative Expo) 1st Group show (Director, Exhibitor)
Dec 2014 “Upstairs @Seasons” Two Person Show with Artist Ingrid Dunne, Skerries
Nov 2014 Balbriggan Art Trail, Group Show
Oct 2014 Percent for Art scheme Gaelscoil Balbriggan
April 2014 Skerries Mills Craft Exhibition
Jan 2013 Bike Art Exhibition, Artists Rest Workshop
Oct 2010 Woodturners Exhibition Guild Hall, Navan
Sept 1991 “The Story So Far” Solo Exhibition, Artists Rest Workshop
July 1989 Kunst! Art Show Frankfurt
March 1989 Wood Technology Exhibition (FAHS) Frankfurt
July 1988 Die Junge Art Fair, Berlin
Aug 1987 Bildende KünsteSchule Exhibition Frankfurt
Please donate to our Causes. Every Penny received in 2023 will go to the Balbriggan Men’s Shed. Thank You!
