Brian Whelan

Resume

Brian was trained at the Royal Academy of Art London.

His paintings have been exhibited and installed at Cathedrals and religious institutions worldwide:

International Tours of Exhibitions

Brian Whelan with Holy Cities art installation at National Cathedral
Brian (left) at National Cathedral in front of "Holy Cities"

"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.
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"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

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

2023-
2025

The Life of Rev John Roberts of the Wind River Reservation WyomingCurrently on an International Tour

2021

Public PersonasWestport River Gallery, Westport, Connecticut, USA

2019

La Passion d'Edith CavellCathédrale des Sts Michel et Gudule, Bruxelles, Belgium

Head to HeadWaterford, Virginia, USA

2018

Noli Me TangereWaterford, Virginia, USA

A Tragic CarmodyLondon, UK

2017

Mystery of the MessageWaterford, Virginia, USA

Country PursuitsMiddleburg, Virginia, USA

Holy City, A Pilgrimage of SightWashington, DC, USA

2016

Summer SolsticeWaterford, Virginia, USA

2015

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

2014

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

2013

From Here…To EpiphanyMandell’s Gallery, Norwich, UK

Brentwood CrossBrentwood Cathedral, Brentwood, UK

Holy City CollectionArusha Art at The Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK

2012

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

2011

Brian Whelan at the CathedralNorwich Cathedral, Norwich, UK

Brian Whelan at St MartinsSt. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK

2010

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

2009

Christmas Show (solo)Hospital Arts, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK

2008

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

2007

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

2006

Pillar of SaltSt. Benedict’s, Abbey Ealing, London, UK

2005

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

2004

We Three KingsThe Ellises, Stradbroke, Suffolk, UK

The Miracle of the Holy HouseChurch of Reconciliation, Walsingham, Norfolk, UK

2003

The Holy HouseBenedictine Arts and Study Centre Gallery, London, UK

A Flag for the Irish DiasporaTricycle Theatre Gallery, Kilburn, London, UK

2002

From Eternity to OblivionThe Irish Club, Eaton Square, London, UK

2001

Night TrainLimelight Gallery, Lewisham, London, UK

Holy OrdersHammersmith Irish Arts Centre, Hammersmith, London, UK

1987

The Abbot Hall Art GalleryKendal, Cumbria, UK

The Grundy GalleryBlackpool, Lancashire, UK

1986

Vernon GalleryPreston, Lancashire, UK

1985

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

2021

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

2019

LegacyRoyal Academy School East Anglia, Colchester, England, UK

2018

The Prayer in the GardenVineyard Columbus Community Gallery, Delaware, Ohio, USA

2017

Family in FlightSt. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, Columbus, Ohio, USA

We Three KingsVineyard Columbus Church, Columbus, Ohio, USA

2015

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

2014

Out of the ColdThe Foundry, Washington DC, USA

Cabin FeverByrne’s Gallery, Middleburg, Virginia, USA

2013

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

2012

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

2011

Flying Colours Fascinating FormsAssembly House, Norwich, UK

Ad LiminaSalthouse ‘11 Church, Salthouse, Norfolk, UK

“The Class of…”Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK

2010

The Quiet MenThe Art Gallery, Villanova University, Pennsylvania, USA

Summer ShowcaseDoric Arts, Holt, Norfolk, UK

Summer ShowThompsons Gallery, London, UK

2009

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

2008

A Table of WelcomeArt Sans Frontiers Trois, Norwich 20 Group, Norwich, UK

Salthouse ’08Salthouse, Norfolk, UK

2007

Through Irish EyesCulture Ireland in Beijing, China

Kgetsi Ya TsieThapong Visual Arts Centre. Gaborone, Botswana

2006

Summer ShowCork Brick Gallery, Bungay, Suffolk, UK

2003

Christmas ShowThe Solomon Gallery, Dublin, Ireland

2000

The Church PubAldeburgh Fringe Festival, Suffolk, UK

1999

Art in ArchitectureHalesworth, Suffolk, UK

1986

5 Dunhill ShowGallery Siau, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

1983

Summer ShowSackville Room, Royal Academy of Art, London, UK

1981

New ContemporariesInstitute of Contemporary Art, London, UK