Stephen Lawler

Stephen Lawlor, born in Dublin in 1958, is a distinguished Irish artist whose career spans painting, printmaking, and more recently, sculpture. An honours graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin (1980–1983), Lawlor emerged in the 1980s as a teacher at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, where he began developing his distinctive visual language. At this time, his work was centered on the figure of the horse, a subject he explored across drawings, etchings, lithographs, and monotypes. This early focus reflected both a fascination with classical forms and a desire to push the expressive boundaries of traditional techniques.

Over the years, Lawlor has established himself as both an accomplished painter and a master printer, with a reputation for technical precision and lyrical imagery. His prints often reveal a deep engagement with European art history, reinterpreting motifs from Renaissance and Baroque traditions through a contemporary lens. In recent years, Lawlor has expanded his practice to include bronze sculpture, adding a new three-dimensional dimension to his exploration of form and material.

Lawlor’s career has been marked by both national and international recognition. He has presented solo exhibitions in Ireland, England, and the United States, and his work has been featured in numerous international group exhibitions, affirming his presence on the global stage. His art is represented in private collections worldwide, spanning the United States, Australia, the Far East, and much of Europe, underscoring the broad appeal of his vision.

In addition to his creative output, Lawlor has played a significant role in the broader printmaking community. He has been a member of Graphic Studio Dublin since 1984, one of Ireland’s leading fine art print workshops, and today serves as its Chairman. In 2016, he was elected an associate member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE) in London, joining an esteemed circle of international printmakers. That same year, he became a founding member of the International Academic Printmaking Alliance (IAPA) at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, reflecting his commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration across cultures.

Stephen Lawlor continues to expand his artistic horizons, balancing tradition with innovation. His multi-disciplinary practice affirms his position as one of Ireland’s most versatile and influential contemporary artists.