"I am an abstract painter, closer, in my work, to the older definition of a still life painter than a landscape painter. A painter, that is, who works best in the confines of his studio, and who sees the world through a collection of pots and pans, apples and oranges (or circles, triangles and squares) rather than the fields, trees and skies. To look outside at the vast vista of unending landscape flowing in all directions, is for me too difficult to try and get down on paper. I shut the door and work in my windowless studio."
BREON O’CASEY

Celebrated for his painting and jewellery, Breon O’Casey was a prominent member of the St. Ives school whose leading figures included Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Bernard Leach. He began his working career as a studio assistant to Denis Mitchell and Barbara Hepworth, but only turned to making sculpture himself later in life after discovering wax as a material.

O’Casey’s sculpture is characterised by simple natural forms, lines and a very personal set of imagery. Birds, animals and human figures are pared down to their very essence, giving them a primitive and mystical presence. His painting too shows a remarkable talent to reduce the complexity of the outside world to a simple lexicon of shapes vibrant with colour and life.

Breon O’Casey was an inspirational colourist as well as a master craftsman as his work Rainforest shows. The piece is a perfect example of the extensive palette of his paintings, exhibiting his natural ability of applying and relating colours to each other. Rainforest, inspired by watching the BBC Life series narrated by David Attenborough, and contrasts monochromatic panels flanking a warm fleshy pink which surrounds two precious discoveries. The work, dated 2010, is one of the artist’s later pieces before he sadly passed away in 2011.

Breon O’Casey was born in London the son of Irish dramatist Sean O’Casey, and his Celtic roots remained of importance to him as did his father’s artistic leanings and encouragement. He exhibited widely and his work can be found in many private and public collections around the globe.