John Cullen

I am a visual artist working in Sligo, Ireland.

During the pandemic lockdown period of 2020/21 I took a break from painting, and have only just resumed full-time studio practice.

After completing a Master’s Degree in International Relations, John Cullen moved to Ireland in 1995. He worked with peace and justice organisation, Afri, and was author of two groundbreaking reports on Ireland’s involvement in the arms trade.
In 1998 John moved to Donegal where he began creative writing, winning the William Allingham short story award for short fiction.
In 2001 he worked in a rural community collecting oral place names in Irish, which were then turned into a map that was published by Forbairt Na Rossan in 2005.
In 2004 John undertook a PLC in Art & Design at Sligo VEC. He went onto Sligo I.T. and completed his honours Degree in Fine Art in 2009.
Since then he has worked as a practicing artist, and has exhibited widely across Ireland, in several solo shows and numerous group exhibitions.
In 2011 he was awarded a national bursary from County Offaly for a two month residency in Belmont Mill studios.
In 2014 John was awarded joint third prize in the Leitrim Sculpture Centre summer open exhibition.

March 2016 – LSC NW Open Prizewinners Exhibition
January 2016 – solo exhibition ArtCo Gallery, Letterkenny
August 2014 – solo exhibition Market Place Theatre, Armagh
March 2014 – solo exhibition, Custom House Studios, Westport, Mayo
February 2013 – joint exhibition, Courthouse Art Centre, Ennistymon, Clare
September 2012 – solo exhibition, Signal Art Centre, Bray, Wicklow
March 2012 – solo exhibition, Linenhall Art Centre, Castlebar, Mayo
Dec 2015 – LSC North West Christmas Open, Leitrim
Sept 2014 – Enniskillen Open, Fermanagh.
July 2015 – Cairde Open, Sligo
Other
May / Oct 2015 – Resident Artist, King House, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
2014 – Leitrim Sculpture Centre Award
June / July 2011, National bursary Award, 2 month residency at Belmont Mill artists studios, Co. Offaly.