Eilbhe Donovan

Having obtained an Honours degree in illustration at West Wales School of the Arts, Eilbhe Donovan's work derives from Oriental influenced style of minimalist ink painting. Particularly the Shin-Hanga movement in Japan and the works of Ohara Koson and his depictions of Kachō-e (birds and flowers) and from the traditions of Print-Making, which of course is an essential part of Illustration.

Her paintings are created using traditional Chinese and Japanese brushes and ink and worked up in pencil afterward. Monoprints are created using intaglio etching ink and worked up in ink & pencil.

Eilbhe's focus is on capturing the essence of the ocean and the life around it, taken from observations whilst out in her seakayak and out walking the rugged Atlantic shoreline. Using a minimalist approach, she creates pieces that are both serene and evocative. Each piece is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of calm and wonder in the viewer

Eilbhe has been short-listed for the VAA Artist of the Year Award and was also short-listed for the VAA International Exhibition & Scholarship prize 2024.

She has exhibited internationally and her work is held in private collections in Australia, USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland.

Solo Exhibitions

2025 "Degraded Ecosystems", Galerie Keller, Besançon, France
"Degraded Ecosystems" represented by Galerie Keller, Art Volta, Basel

2023 Art3F Zurich, Oerlikon Messe, Zurich

2022 Verge, Cahir Arts, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Art International Zurich, Messe fur Moderne und Zeitgenoessische Kunst, Zurich

2021 Caibhleadh, Grey Heron Gallery, Bandon, Co. Cork
Art International Zurich, PULS 5, Zurich
Galerie am Lindenhof, Pfalfgasse 3, Zurich

2020 Art Nordic, Locomotivvaerkstedet, Copenhagen
Art International Zurich, PULS 5, Zurich
Art 3F, Haute-Savoie, France

2019 Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow
Flights of Fancy, Cronin's of Crosshaven, Cork
MAG Swiss, Montreux, Switzerland
ArtSource, RDS, Ballbridge, Dublin

2018 ArtSource, RDS Ballsbridge, Dublin

2017 ArtSource, RDS Ballsbridge, Dublin

2011 Faultlines, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow

2002 Small Things, Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Group Exhibitions

2026 Open Annual RSW Royal Scottish Society of Watercolour Artists, Edinburgh
Art in the Ballroom, Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow

2025 172 Open Annual, RWA Royal Academy of West England, Bristol
Thomastown Arts Trail, Kilkenny Arts Festival: Cahir Arts, Tipperary
Bric-aBrac Exposition, Keller Galerie, Besançon, France
Paper Works, RWA Royal Academy of West England, Bristol

2024 Galerie LaProkay, Trittligaße 4, Zurich
Galerie LaProkay, Zuger AltstadtHalle, Unter Altstadt 14, Luzern
Annual Summer Show, Kenny Gallery, Galway
Roy's Art Fair, Ox Tower Wharf, London

2023 Summer Show, Cahir Arts, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Cairde Visual, Hamilton Gallery, Sligo Arts Festival, Sligo
Moon Art, ElbPhilharmonie, Hamburg

2022 WOPART, Works on Paper Art (represented by Galerie Keller, Zurich), Lugano
Straight out of Ireland, Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia

2019 Fragile Expanses, The Ivy House, Dublin

2017 West Cork Creates, Skibereen, Co. Cork

2006 TownHall Arts Centre, Charlestown, Co. Mayo

2005 Wicklow County Buildings, Wicklow

2004 Island Women, Letterkenny Arts Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Wicklow Artists, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow

2003 Wicklow Artists, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow