J.B. Vallely

J.B. Vallely was born in 1941 in Armagh. He was raised to appreciate Irish culture, particularly sport and music, which would greatly influence his artistic subjects. He studied at the Belfast College of Art, under Tom Carr, then attended Edinburgh Art College during the 1960s. Eight of his early works were purchased for the Irish display at the 1963 World Fair in New York.

Vallely’s subject matter typically relates to rural Irish culture, including its traditions, music, sport, mythology, and history, with a strong focus on Irish people themselves. He has produced a vast number of pieces over his career, exhibiting regularly, and a large retrospective was held of his work in Armagh in 2000. His paintings are included in public collections, such as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Museum, and the Ulster Television Collection, along with numerous private collections also. His solo exhibitions include The Eakin Gallery, Emer Gallery, Cavehill Gallery and Sol Art Gallery.