TJ. Byrne, artists Statement

Paris 2009

Painting is and has been the over riding motivation in my life. To create and explore using the medium of paint and sometimes sculpture, are my main drives.

We experience the world through light, colour and form. The mysterious element of reflected light passing through our eyes, to our brain, transforming our understanding of the world. Other senses are effected in the same way and most people take these things for granted. As an artist I pause to study these things and the way that they interact with me, others, nature and energy. I express the impressions I receive in paint and sculpture so that others might also pause to understand what has passed and is.

Art perceives these communications and through my hands, eyes and mind, I reinterpret in the visual language of colour, form and light . My art translates and makes it possible for perceptions to grasp and communicate the things we cannot easily verbalize. To communicate the ‘what if’ or simply ‘what is’ of life, in a way that goes beyond the limits of words and which helps to form new interpretations of emotions, things and knowledge that we take for granted or just are not aware of.

I worked and lived as an artist in Ireland for over 20 years. Born and raised in Dublin. I studied in college and was unimpressed ( a lot) by what was taught. I didn't fancy starving so I worked as an illustrator for a lot of years and liked it but couldn't relate to the non creative people I had to deal with, nor how they used my work. They more I learned the less I liked that scene.

Then I started arts organisations. Places for artists to come and meet. Organisations for them to publish their work. Exhibitions and social groups where people could speak freely over a pint or a cup of tea. That worked very well and that's how I realised I had to leave. That there was a reason others had. To learn in other countries and perhaps come back.

In 2003 moved to Paris, France to expand my sphere of influence, skills and contacts. I’ve studied the old masters techniques, worked with great teachers and immersed myself in a pool of international artists and collectors.

My work has settled into a mix of contemporary art strongly mixed with classical understandings and skills. Combined with my instinctive artistic drive this has sent me on an exploration of inner understanding and external artistic expression.