Arthur Armstrong, RHA (1924 - 1996)
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Arthur Armstrong RHA
(1924-1996)
"Spanish Interior"
Conte,15 x 11¾''
(1924-1996)
"Spanish Interior"
Conte,15 x 11¾''
Arthur Armstrong was born in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim in 1924. After first studying political science and architecture at Queen's University in Belfast, he then enrolled in night classes at the Belfast College of Art. It was here that he befriended fellow artists, Gerard Dillon, Dan O'Neill and George Camprbell. Alongside them, he is credited with being at the forefront of a movement towards modernism in Irish painting of the 1940's & 1950's that was heavily influenced by art from continental Europe, but that still had its roots in the landscape and people of Ireland.
His first solo exhibition of paintings was held in the Grafton Gallery, Dublin in 1955. In 1957 Armstrong moved to London and that same year was awarded a travel scholarship from the Council for the Encouragement of Music & Arts, which he used to travel to Spain. In 1962 he settled in Dublin and began exhibiting his work at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Two years later he held his first solo exhibition at the Ritche Hendriks gallery. In 1968 he was awarded the Douglas Hyde gold medal at the annual Oireachtas exhibition and in 1972 he was elected as a full member of the Royal Hibernian Academy.
His first solo exhibition of paintings was held in the Grafton Gallery, Dublin in 1955. In 1957 Armstrong moved to London and that same year was awarded a travel scholarship from the Council for the Encouragement of Music & Arts, which he used to travel to Spain. In 1962 he settled in Dublin and began exhibiting his work at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Two years later he held his first solo exhibition at the Ritche Hendriks gallery. In 1968 he was awarded the Douglas Hyde gold medal at the annual Oireachtas exhibition and in 1972 he was elected as a full member of the Royal Hibernian Academy.