About the Artist

Harry Holland, Draughtsman of contemporary, figurative art

Harry Holland

Contemporary Figurative Realist Painter

 

Harry Holland is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest figurative artists. Using classical techniques to realise his contemporary figurative paintings, Harry incorporates motifs such as mythology and pathos to imbue his work with an enigmatic timelessness. 

 

The story-telling nature of his work makes this narrative art personal to the observer. The paintings explore universal truths that are often difficult to articulate, yet resonant to the human experience. 

 

Through a lifetime of dedication to his craft, Harry Holland has established himself as a leading influence in academic art as well as modern fine art. 

 

Born in Glasgow in 1941 he spent his childhood in various parts of the UK settling in London in 1949.  He trained at St. Martin’s School of Art from 1965-69 where he first exhibited in 1969.  In 1973 he moved to Cardiff where he lives and paints today.

Solo exhibitions

1970 Greenwich Theatre Gallery,London,

1971 Obelisk Gallery, London,

1973 Ikon Gallery, Birmingham,

1979 Roundhouse Gallery, London,

Oriel Gallery, Cardiff

Midland Group Gallery, Nottingham,

1980 Welsh Arts Council, Touring Exhibition,

1981 Mineta Move Gallery, Brussels,

1982 Arnold Katzen Gallery, New York,

Garton and Cooke, London,

1983 FIAC, Mineta Move Gallery, Paris,

Robin Garton Gallery, London,

1984 Ian Birkstead Gallery, London,

FIAC, Mineta Move Gallery, Paris,

1985 Artiste Gallery, Bath,

Edinburgh Demarcations, Garton and Cooke,

1986 Chicago Art Fair,

Ian Birkstead Gallery,

1987 Andrew Knight Gallery, Cardiff,

Bohun Gallery, Henley on Thames,

1988 Garton & Co, London

Thumb Gallery, London,

1989 Bohun Gallery, Henley on Thames,

 Forum Art Fair, Thumb Gallery, Hamburg,

Jill George Gallery, London,

1990 Thumb Gallery, London; 1991 – 1992 UK Touring Exhibition, 

Jill George Gallery, London; 

1992 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

Jill George Gallery, London,

1993 Beaux Arts Bath,

 

 

 

1994 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

Jill George Gallery, London,

1995 Oriel, Arts Council of Wales Gallery and Touring Exhibition,

1996 Jill George Gallery, London,

1997 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

Galerie Michel Rooryck, Knokke, Belgium,

 1998 Jill George Gallery, London,

1999 Mineta Move Gallery, Brusself,

Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2000 Il Politico, Rome (with Sean Henry and Edward Lucie Smith),

2001 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2002 Il Politico, Rome,

2003 Mineta Move Gallery, Brussels,

 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2004 Albemarle Gallery, London

2005 Il Politico, Rome; 

Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2006 Mineta Move Gallery, Brussels,

2007 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2008 Albemarle Gallery, London,

2009 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2010 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

Albemarle Gallery, London,

2011 Mineta Contemporary, Brussels,

Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2012 Oriel Tegfyn, Menai Bridge,

2013 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2014 Bernaducci Meisel Gallery, New York,

Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh,

2015 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh,

2018 “Models”, Matrin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff,

2019 “Whats the story”, Fidra fine art, Edinburgh.

 

Public collections

His works are in the following public collections: 

 

Tate Gallery, London 

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

European Parliament Collection; National Museum of Wales

British Museum, London

Belgian National Collection

Heiniken Collection, Amsterdam

Newport Museum and Art Gallery

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea

 Scottish equitable, Edinburgh

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

 Contemporary Arts Society

Welsh Arts Council

Contemporary Arts Society for Wales; 

University of Wales; BBC Wales

Gatmore Investment Management Ltd

National Portrait Gallery, Canada

Senate of the Italian Republic, Palazzo Madama, Rome 

 

and many corporate and private collections worldwide.

Public commissions

Public commissions include:

Greater London council,


Portrait of Lord Harrington, ILEA chairman,

Welsh Arts Council,

Portrait of Lord Callaghan, Cardiff Council,
Merlyn Rhees, Pontypridd University,
Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, Bangor University
Phil Dunleavy, Cardiff Council
John Hughs, Bangor University
Lord Jack Brooks, Cardiff Council