Artist Bio and Statement

Artist Bio

Diarmuid Woodcock is an Irish visual artist based in Dublin. He recently graduated from the National College of Art and Design, with a BA in Fine Art in 2023. His work explores the idea of the flâneur in relation to Irish suburbia in a contemporary context. His work is a documentation of his journeys, with a primary focus on local buildings and houses around him. His process consists of rigorous research involving photography and sketching before creating paintings based upon his research.

His most recent exhibition is the BKB Visual Arts Studio’s “Members Exhibition” for Phizzfest. His other recent exhibitions include “21 Bridges to the Sea” in the Clancy Quay Artist Studios, the Ardgillan Castle Gallery Winter Show, the Mason, Hayes & Curran Annual Art Exhibition and the group shows for BKB Members show for Culture Night and “Sustain” with Dublin Modular in the Smock Alley Theatre. He had his Degree Show, entitled “Down Around the Town” in 2023.

In 2023, he was awarded the Fingal Artists’ Support Scheme and was long listed for the RDS Visual Art Awards. He completed the Clancy Quay Superprojects Programme in January 2024 and is currently a member of the Highlanes Gallery Youth Panel

Artist Statement

I am an Irish visual artist based in Skerries, Co. Dublin. My practice is inspired by the idea of the “Flâneur” and their observation of the world around them. I treat my work like a documentary, following the principles of observing, recording and documenting my journeys. Just as a flâneur records their walks and reflects on their connections to a city, I use my work to reflect upon my relationship to the Fingal area and compare it with other areas in Ireland.

As I go about my journeys I observe the world around me and once I have found somewhere that I have a connection or resonate with, I will record this place by photographing it. This connection is often focused on domestic spaces, local businesses and communal areas. From these photographs, I create a large quantity of sketches and then create paintings.

The paintings I create offer an intimate and restrained depiction of my journeys and the domestic and suburban spaces they depict, which is further enhanced by their small scale in order to create a personal connection between viewer and painting. They serve as a link between my mind and thoughts, as the artist, and to the viewer.