Exceptional Craftsmanship
Born in Dublin, Michael Killen studied in Dunlaoghaire School of Art majoring in Sculpture and Fine Art. Subsequently he received a scholarship from the Italian Government to study in the Academy of Fine Art in Florence Italy. On completing his time in the Academy, he moved to Pietrasanta in the Carrara marble area just north of Pisa where he worked under the direction of a family of stone sculptors.
On his return to Ireland Michael assisted the German sculptor Imogen Stuart in a series of her larger commissions and then established his own studio in Malahide, County Dublin working in bronze and timber. He has executed public and private commissions for bodies such as Fingal County Council, Arts Care Northern Ireland, The Royal Hospital Donnybrook, E-Tec Power Management Europe amongst many others. The most recent public project commissioned by Department of Education and Science for Saint Oliver Plunkett National School in Malahide was unveiled at the school’s official opening in May this year (2023). It consists of a life size girl cast in bronze running and releasing a bird into the air. This is complemented by a life size relief of a boy standing on his hands which is sculpted in maple wood. Michael is currently working on a sculpture for a private client in Berlin, Germany.
Michael has exhibited in the Jorgensen Fine Art Gallery (Dublin), The Royal Ulster Academy (Belfast), The Graphic Studio Gallery (Dublin), Kenny’s Gallery (Galway) and in the Irish Embassy in Berlin (Germany).
While working as a sculptor Michael pursued his interest in print and is a member of the Graphic Studio Dublin. He will be showing both sculptures and prints in a group exhibition on Bere Island, Bantry Bay in September 2023.
An art which isn't based on feeling isn't an art at all... feeling is the principle, the beginning and the end; craft, objective, technique - all these are in the middle." (Paul Cezanne)