Michael Killen

Written byTamara Pasztor

Sculptor Michael Killen disseminates a classical antiquated idiosyncrasy through his works of art. After spending four years studying sculpture in Dun Laoghaire School of Art, (Co.Dublin, Ireland), the artist had obtained a scholarship issued from the Italian Government in order to extend his education in Italy at the Academy of Fine Arts (Florence).

Thenceforth, Michael relocated to Pietrasanta, a town situated in the Carrara/Lucca region. It was here, that Michael Killen mastered the stone-carving technique from the Giannoni family in their workshop on the Via Aurelia.

Resettling back in Ireland, the sculptor secured his workshop in Malahide Co. Dublin. A majority of his artistic proficiency is within the sphere of wood, stone, bronze, and graphic materials.

Michael Killen's commissions range from large public pieces and small private collections. Possessing an aptitude to portray each and every mien of life, Michael probes into the motifs of the Great Famine of Ireland, Modern Life, Music, and Wildlife.

Inspired by the Italian Renaissance sculptor Donatello, there is a lyrical semblance existing in Michael's art. Even though the sculptor is not imitating Donatello, the freedom of movement contrived by the Renaissance master is apparent, for instance, Children Playing (Killen) and Cantoria (Donatello). Of course, the time frame and style is dissimilar. Nonetheless, the two artists display the same exquisite figural interaction, unity, and flowing movement.

At present, Michael Killen is working on a commission for a fourteenth century Norman Castle in Swords (Co.Dublin). The project is to gradually restore the citadel. On the other hand, Killen's task is to design and carve six grotesque animal heads for a five-foot span chandelier and secondly, to decorate the three beams which have a head at each end.

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Curriculum Vitae
Completed Commissions in 2005
Swords Castle:	5 life size sculpted busts to be located beneath the roof trusses on the chapel in the 13th Century Castle in Swords, Co. Dublin.
Exhibitions in 2005
Summer Group Shows:	Jorgensen Fine Art Gallery, Dublin.
	Millcove Gallery, Castletownbere, Co. Cork. Kennys Gallery, Galway.
Exhibitions in 2004
Christmas Group Show:	Jorgensen Fine Art Gallery, Dublin.
Summer Group Shows:	Millcove Gallery, Castletownbere, Co. Cork.
	Kennys Gallery, Galway.
Royal Ulster Academy:	One bronze selected for exhibition.
Completed Commissions in 2004
Sculpted panel in oak for the new Church of St. Bernards, Glengormley, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Client:	Rev. Father Daniel Whyte P.P., 165 Antrim Road, Glengormley, Co. Antrim BT 36 7QR. Northern Ireland.
Bronze Lettering for Maurice Mahon's Newsagents, Malahide, Co. Dublin.
Completed Commissions in 2003
Life size bronze Mother and Child for the new Church of St. Bernards, Glengormley, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Oak Chandelier, Constable's Tower, Swords Castle, Swords, Co. Dublin.
Client:	Fingal County Council.
Completed Commissions in 2002
Percent Commission:	"First Visit": Commissioned by the Causeway Hospital Artworks Group, a low relief carved in cherry wood and framed in ash for the Maternity Unit in the new Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland.
Completed Commissions in 2001
A Carved Chest for the Constable's Tower, Swords Castle, Swords, Co. Dublin.
Client:	Fingal County Council.
A selection of other commissions:	Life size Portraits of the members of the group U2, Gibneys Public House, Malahide.
Enniskerry Parish Curch, Co. Wicklow:	Panels in lime wood for the Altar and Lectern.
Cappamore Historical Society:	Commerative relief in bronze for the village of Cappamore, Co. Limerick.
Individual sculptures, drawings and prints for private clients in Germany (Bonn and Berlin).
Education:
1969-73:	Diploma in Fine Art from Dunlaoghaire School of Art and Design.
1973-74:	Italian Government scholarship to study in the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.