Alva Gallagher

Born in rural Ireland and raised in the fishing village of Killybegs in County Donegal, Alva is a professional artist and explores concepts of depth and rhythm through the mediums of bronze and molten glass. Alva's work involves a continuous exploration of oceanic movements and elements. She began to explore the deep sea at a young age and adores the solitude experienced in the depths of the water.

She earned an honours degree from the National College of Art and Design, NCAD, in Dublin, Ireland and went on to received the first Irish Partner Scholarship to study at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, USA. She was the first recipient of the JimMcNaughton/TileStyle €10,000 Bursary Award and in 2012 was pre selected for the prestigious Threadneedle Award in London.

She has shown at Saatchi Gallery London; La Gallerie SEMA, Paris; the ECB, Frankfurt, Germany; Mall Galleries, London; Traver Gallery Seattle, USA, European Glass Context Biennale, Denmark representing Ireland with The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks and at various exhibitions globally in Tokyo, Berlin, Shanghai and The Central Academy of Fine Art, Beijing, China.

Including having work in State and International Collections comprising The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks; The Deloitte Art Collection; The BMW Art Collection; The iconic 'Gherkin' building, London and the private collection of Lady Dunraven, Alva has work in numerous private collections throughout Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. She has been published in Modern Painter; ‘Engaging with Glass’ Seattle, USA ISBN 978-0-9555120-6-3; EGC Biennale, Denmark ISBN 978-87-89059-79-2 and in the contemporary sculpture book ‘CAST’ by Shiffer Publishing NY, USA now available at The Met, NYC.