Resume
Brian was trained at the Royal Academy of Art London.
His paintings have been exhibited and installed at Cathedrals and religious institutions worldwide:
- Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (2 exhibitions)
- St. Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square London (multiple exhibitions)
- St. Edmunsbury Catherdral in Bury St. Edmunds, England (multiple exhibitions)
- Norwich Cathedral in Norwich, England
- St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
- The Language School of The Legion of St. Gabriel in Czestochowa, Poland
- Parador Dos Reis Catolicos, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Villanova University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection, Delaware, Ohio
- Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Misericordia University, Dallas, Pennsylvania, USA
- Verostcocenter, St. Vincent’s College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA
- Chapel of Christ the King, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
International Tours of Exhibitions
"The Life of Rev. John Roberts"
2023 - 2024
Thirteen commissioned paintings for Rev. Dr. John Roberts premiered at the John Roberts Festival, and embarked on an international tour.
Learn more...
"The Passion of Edith Cavell"
2014 - 2019
The international tour began in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 2014, with a stop in Brussels and its final resting place and installation at Norwich Cathedral during September/October 2015, the 100-year anniversary of Edith Cavell's execution. The paintings returned to Belgium in 2019, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula to mark the Translation of Edith's body from Brussels to Norwich Cathedral.
"The Quiet Men"
2009 - 2010
This tour showcased works inspired by the Irish diaspora. The tour began at West London's PM Gallery, where award-winning journalist Fergal Keane opened the exhibition; moved on to the Celtic Fringe show at the Licco de Noya Institute in Galicia Spain; and the Villanova University Art Gallery in Philadelphia.
Publications and Films
Screenwriter of three produced films (one funded and archived by National Gallery of Art, London) and author of one play (premiered by Green Curtain Theatre Company on the London stage in 2018). Author of numerous books.
Collections
- The James Joyce Centre, Dublin, Ireland
- A series of fourteen paintings entitled "the Passion of Edith Cavell" installed at Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk , England
- Various works are on display and for sale at Mandells Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
- The Martyrdom of St. Edmund and The Magi permanently hang in St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
- A portrait of Louise de Montfort is installed in The Language School of The Legion of St. Gabriel in Czestochowa, Poland.
- Holy City With Herald is in the Parador Dos Reis Catolicos, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Agnus Dei is in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London, UK
- Several works are in the collection of Villanova University of Pennsylvania, USA.
- Several works are in the collection of The Heartland Community Church of Medina, Ohio.
- The largest private collection of Brian’s paintings are in the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection, Delaware, Ohio.
I think God has His hand on Brian... His art is so original and comes from within, which always makes people think.”
Art critic, Sister Wendy Beckett
Solo Exhibitions
2025
The Life of Rev John Roberts of the Wind River Reservation WyomingCurrently on an International Tour
Public PersonasWestport River Gallery, Westport, Connecticut, USA
La Passion d'Edith CavellCathédrale des Sts Michel et Gudule, Bruxelles, Belgium
Head to HeadWaterford, Virginia, USA
Noli Me TangereWaterford, Virginia, USA
A Tragic CarmodyLondon, UK
Mystery of the MessageWaterford, Virginia, USA
Country PursuitsMiddleburg, Virginia, USA
Holy City, A Pilgrimage of SightWashington, DC, USA
Summer SolsticeWaterford, Virginia, USA
Winter SolsticeWaterford, Virginia, USA
The Passion of Edith CavellNorwich Cathedral, Norwich, UK
The Passion of Edith CavellBasilica of Koekelberg, Brussels, Belgium
Summer SolsticeWaterford, Virginia, USA
The Passion of Edith CavellWashington National Cathedral, Washington DC. USA
St. Ives CrossSt Ives Church, St. Ives, Cornwall, UK
Brian Whelan at Duvall’s DesignsMillwood, Virginia,USA
From Here…To EpiphanyMandell’s Gallery, Norwich, UK
Brentwood CrossBrentwood Cathedral, Brentwood, UK
Holy City CollectionArusha Art at The Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
Mystery of the MessageSt Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Sq. London,UK
The Passion of St EdmundSt. Edmundsbury, Bury St. Edmunds, UK
Brian Whelan - London Illuminated 2012Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall, London, UK
Brian Whelan - Un Peregrinaje para la MiradaClub Financiero Atlántico, La Coruna, Spain
Brian Whelan at Los Catolicos ParadorSantiago de Compostela, Spain
Brian Whelan at the CathedralNorwich Cathedral, Norwich, UK
Brian Whelan at St MartinsSt. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK
Sacred SpaceThe Sacred Space Gallery, Notting Hill, London, UK
Saints and CitiesSt. Michael and All Saints, Barnes, London, UK
Ciudad SantaThe Jose Lorenzo Gallery, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Christmas Show (solo)Hospital Arts, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
A Casket of WondersSt. Edmundsbury Cathedral Gallery, Bury St. Edmunds, UK
Spirited TailsCrome Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Salvation – DamnationSt. Martin’s Window Gallery, London, UK
Holy GroundSt. Edmundsbury Cathedral Cloister Gallery, Suffolk, UK
Holy GroundCrome Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Whelan at City HallAt the invitation of the Mayor of London, Westminster, London, UK
Pillar of SaltSt. Benedict’s, Abbey Ealing, London, UK
The Feast Day of St. EdmundSt. Edmundsbury Cathedral Cloister Gallery, UK
Red Roads KampalaGolf Course Apartments, Kampala, Uganda
The Myth of ReturnHammersmith Irish Arts Centre, London, UK
We Three KingsThe Ellises, Stradbroke, Suffolk, UK
The Miracle of the Holy HouseChurch of Reconciliation, Walsingham, Norfolk, UK
The Holy HouseBenedictine Arts and Study Centre Gallery, London, UK
A Flag for the Irish DiasporaTricycle Theatre Gallery, Kilburn, London, UK
From Eternity to OblivionThe Irish Club, Eaton Square, London, UK
Night TrainLimelight Gallery, Lewisham, London, UK
Holy OrdersHammersmith Irish Arts Centre, Hammersmith, London, UK
The Abbot Hall Art GalleryKendal, Cumbria, UK
The Grundy GalleryBlackpool, Lancashire, UK
Vernon GalleryPreston, Lancashire, UK
Gallery SiauAmsterdam, Netherlands
It is rare to find a contemporary artist so confident in his portrayal of traditional religious themes.
Rev. Canon John McLuckie, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
Group Exhibitions
The Voices Project: ImmigrationMisercordia University, Dallas, PA
Transformation. Community. Holy CrossSt. Francis of Assisi Lecture - King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Guild Summer SalonSilvermine Arts Center, New Canaan, CT
Public PersonasWestport River Gallery, Westport, CT
LegacyRoyal Academy School East Anglia, Colchester, England, UK
The Prayer in the GardenVineyard Columbus Community Gallery, Delaware, Ohio, USA
Family in FlightSt. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, Columbus, Ohio, USA
We Three KingsVineyard Columbus Church, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Were you there?St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Delaware, Ohio, USA
On Main StreetByrne Gallery, Middleburg, Virginia, USA
London Irish Art Exhibition 2015Westminster Hall, London, UK
Out of the ColdThe Foundry, Washington DC, USA
Cabin FeverByrne’s Gallery, Middleburg, Virginia, USA
Art AliveAssembly House, Norwich, UK
Cley 13 Flight of the SpoonbillCley, Norfolk, UK
St Ives Sacred Art ExhibitionSt Ives Church, Cornwall, UK
East Anglia Group – Royal AcademyMandell’s Gallery, Norwich, UK
Deck of Cards18/21 Gallery, Norwich, UK
Art Alive!Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Arts Auction, London, UK
All Things ChristmasAssembly House Christmas Exhibition, Norwich, UK
Cley 12 Aisle and AirCley Church, Cley, Norfolk, UK
Journeying Towards EasterBlythburgh, Suffolk, UK
Flying Colours Fascinating FormsAssembly House, Norwich, UK
Ad LiminaSalthouse ‘11 Church, Salthouse, Norfolk, UK
“The Class of…”Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
The Quiet MenThe Art Gallery, Villanova University, Pennsylvania, USA
Summer ShowcaseDoric Arts, Holt, Norfolk, UK
Summer ShowThompsons Gallery, London, UK
Our Books Our LivesSi Nordic Arts Centre, Beijing, China
Visionaries Greenbelt FestivalCheltenham, UK
Salt of the Earth, Salthouse ’09Salthouse, Norfolk, UK
Celtic FringeLiceo de Noya, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Visionaries – working in the marginsWallspace, London, UK
Spring ShowWildwood Gallery, Bury St. Edmunds, UK
CityTsinghua Academy of Arts and Crafts, Beijing, China
The Quiet MenPitzhanger Gallery, Ealing, London, UK
A Table of WelcomeArt Sans Frontiers Trois, Norwich 20 Group, Norwich, UK
Salthouse ’08Salthouse, Norfolk, UK
Through Irish EyesCulture Ireland in Beijing, China
Kgetsi Ya TsieThapong Visual Arts Centre. Gaborone, Botswana
Summer ShowCork Brick Gallery, Bungay, Suffolk, UK
Christmas ShowThe Solomon Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
The Church PubAldeburgh Fringe Festival, Suffolk, UK
Art in ArchitectureHalesworth, Suffolk, UK
5 Dunhill ShowGallery Siau, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Summer ShowSackville Room, Royal Academy of Art, London, UK
New ContemporariesInstitute of Contemporary Art, London, UK