Ben Hennessy

Ben is a Painter and Theatre maker from Waterford. He studied at the Waterford School of Art and The National College of Art, Dublin (1st class hons Degree in Painting) and at the San Francisco Academy of Art University (postgraduate scholarship).

His first Solo exhibition was in 1981 and since then has exhibited in London, New York, San Francisco, Dublin, Waterford and around Ireland. His work is included in many Public and Private collections. Ben had a solo show in GOMA entitled ‘Boat’ in 2017.

Ben’s most recent solo show was ‘Elpis’ in 2021 – a 40 year retrospective at GOMA, the Theatre Royal and Artform @ 44 The Quay. In 2021 Ben also took up a position as Artist-in-Residence at TIAFI Community Centre for Syrian Refugee women and Children in Izmir, Turkey.

Described as “A powerful painter” by Sean Scully, Ben uses “Images in his work which reflect a human ambition to strive higher, to stretch the imagination to the limits where man’s creative spirit is a triumphant part of how he lives” Sheila Pratschke. 

Ben also has designed over 80 theatre sets, written 14 plays and an Opera for Children, directed over 30 productions and continues to deliver Art and Theatre Workshops for children and adults. Ben lives with his wife and four children in Annestown, County Waterford.