"A visit to the National Gallery of Scotland to see the Turner watercolours in January never fails to inspire. The bleak mid-winter filled with images of Mr Turner’s travels. Loch Coruisk catches my attention. My curiosity is posing many questions. How did he get there? How will I get there? What kind of boat did he get? What gear did he bring? Did he do his painting on location?
I arrived at Loch Coruisk on an open motorboat in May 2022 with my watercolour painting painting gear. I had a lightweight easel and hiking pole and wearing Gore-Tex coat and boots.
On landing, I was excited to be following in William Mallord’s footsteps and immediately struck by the powerful elemental nature of the Loch. The combination of towering rock faces, rushing river into the sea and light through rain were all at play.
I was particularly inspired by how these aspects engaged as a whole in a theatrical sense.
In this expansive location I set out to look for the viewpoint that related to the place where Turner might have stood and painted.
I learned a lot from my expedition and was truly inspired." Neal Greig
Price: £2200
Neal Greig was born in Belfast in 1965. He first attended the Edinburgh College of Art in 1983 graduating with a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art in 1987, and later completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art between 1988 and 1990 again from ECA.
"I document the light, space and texture, spontaneously painting the changes, observing and marking the passing of time.
At times a vigorous approach is employed, capturing a sense of urgency in an effort to catch the changing light. This could then pass on to analytical observation, seeking to emulate the subtle complexity of natural forms.
Working outside brings an instinctive aspect to painting. I employ a directness of articulation and economy of language. At times areas are left understated while other areas are the focus of attention. This is reflective of how the mind, eye and the hand respond in a cohesive flow in response to working from life, whilst the creative energy emanates from the heart."
Awards
Neal Greig’s career has seen him presented with numerous awards including the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Award from the Jackson Pollock Foundation, New York. Other awards include:
Elected as Academician at the Royal Ulster Academy in 2024.
Royal Ulster Academy Prizewinner 2023
John Richardson Residency Award 2023
Arts Council Agility Award 2021
Elected as Associate to Royal Ulster Academy 2018
Artist in Residence in Reardon House Newfoundland 2009
Arts Council Travel Award
Monaghan Co. Council Professional Artists Grant 2009
Professional Arts Grant Monaghan Co. Council 2006 and 2007
Fellowship to Vermont Artist Studios Vermont, USA
Aer Lingus Travel Award to Chicago U.S.A and Italy
Millennium Fund, Monaghan Co. Council
Leader Grant Rural Development Award
Northern Ireland Art Council Award
Andrew Grant Scholarship to Edinburgh Art College
Commissions and Public Collection
Portadown Health Centre, Shortlisted
Cork City Airport Hotel
Patrick Kavanagh Bicentenary, Monaghan Co. Museum
CPV Clones - Fugi Sawa
Queens University Dept. Palaeocology, Belfast
Derrygannon Community Group, Co. Monaghan
Knocktallon Community Group, Co. Monaghan
Public Collections
Drogheda Hospital
Beaumont Hospital
Mayo County Council
ACC Bank
Office of Public Works
Donegal County Council
Boyle Civil Collection
Rentautl Ireland
Bank of Ireland
Monaghan County Council
Limerick County Council
Tyrone Guthrie Art Centre
Monaghan County Museum
AIB Bank
An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny
Monaghan VEC.
New Brunswick, Canada
Exhibitions
Doorway Gallery, Dublin
Gormleys Fine Art, Belfast
Customs House Studios, Mayo
Lyon Fine Art, Chicago
Fidra Fine Art, Gullane
Peter Lewis Gallery, St Johns, Newfoundland
Blackbird Gallery, Kilkenny
Buckley Gallery, Co. Cork
Tom Cadwell Gallery, Belfast
The Market House Gallery, Monaghan
The Private Collector Gallery, Cork
The Private Collector Gallery, Cork
The Mullen Gallery, Belfast
The Private collector Gallery, Cork
The Market Place Gallery, Armagh N. Ireland
An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
The Mullen Gallery, Belfast
Atlantic Light, Wellspring Gallery, Co. Kerry
On Edge, Origin Gallery, Dublin
Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.
Mullingar Art Centre, Co. West Meath
