George Henry Smith Original Irish Art. George was born in Ardglass, Co Down in 1968. He studied and graduated in art at the University of Ulster, he then took a year out travelling worldwide. George’s first came to public attention while still at Art College; having designed the album covers for the Irish Rock group Therapy. More recently, George’s work is critically acclaimed and has had considerable commercial success.

George’s influences include his father, himself a talented watercolourist, Scottish painter Peter Howson, the European surrealists of the 30’s and 40’s, the the music of the Doors, the Scottish realists of the 80’s and being in Salvador Dali’s studio. A sense of place is very important to him and despite having travelled extensively his home area of Co Down is high on his list of influences.

George had an idyllic childhood enjoying summer holidays at his beloved Tyrella Beach; which is the setting for many of his paintings. Beaches, lighthouses, life belts, shells, bright summer skies, boats, gulls and golf courses appear regularly in his work. He combines these elements in a surreal and narrative manner. His wonderfully imaginative sense of composition along with his precise brushwork makes George’s unmistakeable, visually stunning and thought provoking.

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