Aisling Drennan

Irish artist Aisling Drennan is known for her Abstract Expressionist style and vibrant palette. Aisling creates dynamic oil paintings that tread the balance between structure and chaos. With a process that is led by constant layering, each of Aisling’s paintings are textural constructions, formed of gestural brushwork and mark-making. The energetic and sporadic quality of Aisling’s abstract canvases, paired with her suggestive titles, make for pieces of art that often hint at an underlying narrative.

Aisling Drennan’s Education and Inspiration

Prior to becoming a Fine Art painter, Aisling toured the world as a dancer, performing across Beijing, Tokyo, Moscow and beyond. However, in 2007, Aisling made the move to painting, and studied a BA in Fine Art from GMIT in Ireland, before completing an MA from Central Saint Martins. Aisling’s career as a dancer continues to shape her artistic development, and the expressive nature of her paintings. Abstract Expressionist artists such as Willem de Kooning are hugely influential to Aisling’s process, as well as painters Joan Mitchel, Sean Scully and Fiona Rae.

Exhibitions and Success

Over the course of the last three years, Aisling has had three solo shows in London, as well as a host of group exhibitions throughout the UK. Aisling’s most recent exhibition, Skellig, was held at the Graham Hunter Gallery, and showcased a range of abstract paintings inspired by rock formations and the natural terrain of the landscape in County Kerry, Ireland. Aisling’s unique style and emotive visual language has earned her recognition from the John Moore’s Painting Prize, Jacksons Open, the Visual Arts Open and the Royal Dublin Society Art Awards.