John McMahon
Born in 1979, McMahon is known for expansive abstracts that reinterpret the Atlantic horizon. His paintings balance gestural energy with meditative colour harmonies.
Narrative
Painting the Atlantic Light
John McMahon’s studio overlooks the rugged shoreline of County Galway. Each morning begins with sketching the shifting tides before translating those impressions into expansive colour fields on linen.
Materials & Method
Each canvas is built over dozens of layers—graphite mapping, poured acrylic washes, oil glazes, and hand-applied metallic leaf—resulting in luminous surfaces that shift with ambient light.
Collaborative Partners
McMahon works alongside master framers, lighting designers, and architectural studios to tailor every installation to its destination.
Process
Each painting evolves slowly, embracing the unpredictability of Atlantic weather patterns and the tactile qualities of layered media.
Field Studies
Dawn sketches and colour notes document shifting skies and tidal movements along the Galway coast.
Layered Grounds
Graphite mapping and poured acrylic establish rhythm before oil glazes and metallic leaf add depth.
Surface Refinement
Textural passages are sanded, burnished, and reworked until light dances across the canvas.
Installation Review
Works are paired with bespoke framing and lighting plans tailored to each collector’s space.
Press & coverage
John McMahon’s work is regularly profiled by art and design publications for its luminous treatment of landscape.
Irish Arts Review
“McMahon distils the drama of the Atlantic into orchestral swathes of colour that hum with energy.”
Read articleArchitectural Digest
“The artist’s canvases have become go-to focal points for coastal retreats seeking atmosphere and serenity.”
Read articleFrieze
“McMahon’s layered surfaces oscillate between abstraction and memory, grounding viewers in place.”
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