Passage: Gormleys Belfast

Passage, the new body of work by the acclaimed Bangor-based artist Stephen Forbes, will be displayed in Gormleys Belfast from April 13 to May 2.

Stephen Forbes was born in Northern Ireland in 1973. A native of Bangor, Co Down he is the embodiment of artistry sparked from a young age. His artistic journey, marked with continuous exploration and refinement, was nurtured first at Liverpool John Moore’s University and then at Royal Academy Schools, London, where his style and approach were polished.

His captivating style portrays raw emotion and vibrant life in a manner that transcends the limits of canvas. In an enthralling blend of energy, passion and mastery, Forbes’ artistic style is hugely captivating. His artistry is less about depicting physical reality, and more about conveying emotion, atmosphere and the energy of the subjects. In this series of work he applies striking bold layers of paint, in which he skilfully juxtaposes vibrant hues with a nuanced understanding of light and shadow.

Pleasure is a word seldom used in the vocabulary of art criticism and commentary; yet it is the term with which best describes Forbes works. People dancing, ice skating, friends gathering and talking - a celebration of playfulness which ignores the obsessive introspection about self, the pretentious addressing of social issues, and the knowing speculation about the process of art making - these are the starting points for the works by Forbes.

Stephen has exhibited at the Royal Academy Main Galleries, The Royal Academy Sackler Wing, The Royal Hibernian Academy Dublin, London Art Fair and The Royal Ulster Academy. His work is held in public and private collections including the Allied Irish Bank, The Deutsche Bank, The Four Seasons Hotel, Queens University Belfast, Leverhulme, The Ulster Bank and The Office of Public Works.