Kingerlee At 90. 15 October - 30 October, 2026
Press Release
John Kingerlee marks his 90th year with a major Dublin exhibition and the release of his new book.
This October, Trinity Gallery Dublin presents Kingerlee at 90 by John Kingerlee, an exhibition celebrating the artist's 90th year - alongside the release of his new book, Heads, by acclaimed author Jonathan Bennington.
Opening 15th October 2026, the exhibition brings together original works spanning the last five years of his practice, mostly completed within his 90th year. The show centres on his celebrated head paintings and offers a focused look at the most recent chapter of a six-decade career.
The exhibition will feature key works of Kingerlee’s such as ‘Pangur Bán’, which has a strong connection to the acclaimed Irish poet, Seamus Heaney. The title refers to an ancient Irish poem translated by Heaney, which was later read at his funeral. Kingerlee and Heaney became aquainted over the years through his paintings. He penned the words “Beyond the Beyonds”, as the title for the award wining documentary about the artists life and work. A signed, limited edition giclée print of ‘Pangur Bán’ will be released to celebrate the exhibition opening.
Another major highlight will be ‘A Tear for Humanity’, as one of the defining works of the exhibition. Created with over 100 layers of paint, this piece is profoundly emotive. Kingerlee thinks deeply about the future of our world, specifically in the context of global warming and environmental developments.
Alongside the exhibition will be the release of his new book titled Heads by Jonathan Bennington with contributing essays from Archbishop Michael Jackson, Dr. Edward Pillsbury, Professor Mike Catto and Ulster University lecturer Gerard Gibson. The publication is the third book dedicated to Kingerlee’s work and will focus exclusively on his head paintings. Bringing together 90 works - marking his 90 years - ranging from 1962 to 2026. The book is a retrospective of his practice - showcasing his evolution as an artist through the lens of his Head works over the span of 60 years. Approximately 40 of the works included in the book will also be exhibited at Trinity Gallery.
Kingerlee’s work has been championed by major literary and critical figures including William Zimmer of The New York Times, and Ros Drinkwater of the Sunday Business Post, Dr. Ted Pillsbury, Director of the Kimbell Art Museum in Texas and Irish poet laureate, Seamus Heaney. Heads by Jonathan Bennington **is dedicated in memory of Dr Ted Pillsbury, Seamus Heaney and William Zimmer.
Despite international recognition - including a solo show exhibited at the National Museum of China - Kingerlee has never been shown in major art institutions in Ireland. Kingerlee at 90 arrives, therefore, not only as a celebration of the longevity of his career, but as a significant moment of recognition for an acclaimed artist at home in Ireland.
"Paintings are like wild horses in a sense for me. A good painting nowadays is like a wild horse. I want my wild horses roaming the prairie in the uplands free. I don't want them fenced around into small fields and that's what you're doing if you surround a painting with rationality. I would like my paintings to be a source of comfort and help to people who are finding it difficult to live in the world that's being constructed around them.”
The exhibition will run from the 15th - 30th of October at Trinity Gallery, with a Bordeaux presentation currently planned for November 2026.
Exhibition Details
Title: Kingerlee at 90
Venue: Trinity Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin, D02 PX28
Exhibition duration: 15th - 30th October 2026
Materials: Oil on Board
Book Details
Title: Heads
Written credits: Jonathan Bennington
Head - Ashes of Light 2021
Oil on board 26x17cm (10x7ins) €1,900
Head -Where Shadows Gather 2026
Oil on board 30x20 cms (12x8ins) €2,500
Head - Unspoken Face 2025
Mixed Media on paper 27x34cm (10.5x13.5ins) €1,500
Head - The Frozen Gaze 2022
Oil on board 23x18cm (9x7ins) €1,900 Reserved
Head - A Tear For Humanity 2026
Oil on boarad 39x29cm (15x11ina) POA Reserved
The Face of History
Etec Satin Photo Paper 200gsm , 100% bright white. 55x40cm (22x16ins) Ed. 1/50 55x40cm (22x26ins) Ed. 1/50 €150
Head - Weathered Soul 2021
Oil on board 30x22cm (12x9 ins) €3,500
Hello Central Number 7
Oil on board 30x22cm (12x9ins) Exhibited: Milan 2023/2024 €7,500
Hello Central number 9
Oil on board 30x22cm (12x8.5ins) Exhibited: Milan 2023/20224 €7,500
Head - Echoes in the mist 2022
Oil on board 31x22cm (12x8.5ins) €2,750
Head - Fragments of Fire 2020
Oil on board 26x23cm (10x9ins) €2,250
Head - A Glimpse Beyond 2022
Oil on board 24x16cm (9.5x6ins) €1,900
Head - Buried Voices 2021
Collage and Oil on paper 24x20 cm(9.5x8ins) €1,500
Head - The Pilgrim 2021
Oil on board 26x17cm (10x7ins) €1,900
Head - What the earth remembers
Acrylic on paper 24x15cm (9.5x6ins) €500 Reserved
Faces of Memory 2023
Acrylic and Mixed Media on paper 17x24cm (7x9.5ins) €400 Reserved
Head - Whispers of the past 2022
Oil on paper 24x16cm (9.5x6ins) €1,500
Sriks - Bullfinch 2015
Collage & Mixed Media on board 33x40cm (13x16ins) €7,500
Head - Man in flea market Barcelona
Giclee Le of 10 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 80x100cm (32x39ins) Ed. 4/10 €950
Head - Man of Destiny Kilcatherine 2016
Oil on board 35x27cm (14x10.5ins) POA
Head - Golden Expression
Giclee Le of 20 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 99x94cm (39x37ins) Ed. 4/20 €950
Headscape in Blue 2016
Giclee Le of 10 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 101x86 cm (39x34ins) Ed. 1/6 €950
Head - Tear for Humanity
Giclee Le of 30 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 99x72cm (39x28ins) Ed. 1/30 €950
Pangur ban in memory of Seamus Heaney 1980
Giclee Le of 20 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 37x47cm (14x18ins) Ed.1/250 €150
Head - Graffiti Head 2021
Giclee Le of 20 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton 100x82cm (39x32) Ed. 1/20 €950
Head 2009
Drawing on paper 21x13cm (8x5 ins) €150
Head 20009
Drawing on paper 21x13cm (8x5ins) €150
Head 2009
Drawing on paper 21x13cm (8x5ins) €150
Head 2009
Drawing on paper 21x13cm (8x5ins) €150
Head 2009
Drawing on paper 2x13cm (8x5ins) €150
Head - The Last Light 2020
Giclee LE of 10 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm 100% Cotton, Bright White 99x91cm (39x36ins) €950
Sriks - Getting there Skibbereen 2024
Collage and oil on paper 30x20cm (12x8ins) €950
Sriks - Greetings Skibbereen 2023
Collage and oil on paper 27x38cm (10.5x15ins) €1250
Sriks - Irish Need Not Apply Skibbereen 2023
Collage and mixed media on board 28x36cm (11x14ins) €1,250
The Early Morning Smile Skibbereen 2023
Collage and Mixed Media on board 33x21cm (13x8ins) €1,250
Brixton- Tree of Life 1988
Giclee LE of 10 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton, Bright White 97x33cm (37x13ins) Ed. 9/10 €950
Head - Shattered Horizons 20262026
Acrylic and collage on paper 30x22cm (12x9ins) €1,500
Head - Crimson Reverie 2025
Acrylic on Indian paper 19x24 cm (7.5x5.6ins) €950 Reserved
Head - The Quiet Witness 2026
Oil on board 24x16cm (9.5x6ins) €950 Reserved
Head - Golden Storm 2021
Oil on board 18x18cm (7x7ins) €1,500
Between Light and Shadow 2023
Collage and Mixed media on paper 17x24 cm (7x9.5ins) €950
Head - A face Between Worlds 2023
Acrylic and mixed media on paper 26x21 cm ( 10x8ins) €1,900 Reserved
Head - Gilded Reflection
Oil on board 31x23cm (12x9ins) €3,950
Head - Veiled in Shadow 2023
Oil on board 33x25cm (13x10ins) €5,000
Head - Fragments of Silence, 2022
Oil on board 24x16cm (9.5x6ins) €1,900 Reserved
Head - Buried Memory, 2022
Oil on board 24x16(9.5x6ins) €1,900 Reserved
Head - Heart of the Storm
Oil on board 24x16cm(9..5x6ins) €1,900
The Weight Within 2021
Acrylic on Paper 15x9cm (6x3.5ins) €390 Reserved
Cornwall 1978
Giclee LE of 30 Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm, 100% Cotton, Bright White 55/40cm (21.5x16ins) Ed. 2/30 €350
Neighbours, 2016
Collage & oil & mixed Media on board 41x52cm (16x21ins) €6,500
Head- Embers Beneath the Surface. 2022
Oil on board 23.5x16.5 cm (9.5x6.5ins) €1,900
Heads - Witness in Red, 2023
Acrylic and Collage on paper 16x23cm(6.5x9.5ins) €950
Hello central number 5
Oil on board 30x22cm (12x9ns) €7,500
Exhibited: Sant'Ambrogio, Milan 2023/2024
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