Julian Opie: Dublin Gallery

Gormleys is delighted to announce an exhibition by Julian Opie; one of Britain’s most renowned contemporary artists.

Born in London in 1958, Opie studied at Goldsmiths College, London, from 1979 to 1982, where he was taught by conceptual artist and painter Michael Craig-Martin. 

 This highly anticipated exhibition will run from 18th January to 8th February 2025 at Gormleys Dublin, offering visitors the rare opportunity to experience Opie’s striking and innovative visual language in Ireland.

Celebrated for his minimalist and highly distinctive style, Opie emerged as an influential figure in the British art scene of the 1980s. Opie’s work simplifies human figures into geometric forms and bold outlines, making his work instantly recognisable. Portraits and animated walking figures, rendered with minimal detail in black line drawing, are hallmarks of the artist’s style. 

His graphic portrait style and use of computer-aided design have enabled him to combine the fields of contemporary art, technology and commercial design. In 2000, he was commissioned to design the album cover for British band Blur’s ‘Best Of’ album, and in 2006, he created an LED projection for U2's Vertigo world tour. Opie also has a permanent digital sculpture outside the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. 

The exhibition will feature a range of works, including his large-scale lenticular portraits, sculpture, relief works and screenprints; each reflecting Opie’s ongoing interest in how we perceive the human form in the digital age. Audiences will encounter a fusion of traditional artistic methods with technology, offering a contemporary dialogue between classical portraiture and the aesthetics of the modern world.

“Julian Opie’s art is both timeless and forward-thinking. His unique ability to distil the complexities of the human experience into simplified, iconic forms has made him a key figure in contemporary art, and we’re thrilled to present his first solo exhibition in Ireland." - James Gormley

Now regarded as one of Britain’s most collectable artists, Opie has gained international recognition with exhibitions at major institutions such as the Tate Modern, the Louvre, and the Venice Biennale. 

His work is held in the permanent collections of prestigious museums worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, London; and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Boston.

The exhibition will be on view at Gormleys, Dublin, from 18th January to 8th February 2025.