Urban Dreams – An Exhibition by Joel Simon

Joel’s exhibition is an exploration of the Irish urban landscapes which evoke a sense of the past and celebrate the beauty of everyday moments.

Joel Simon was born in Belgium where he studied Fine Art at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Liège, before living in the USA and England and eventually settling in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which he has made his home.

Prior to painting, he worked in the film and animation industry as a director, winning over 50 international awards, and collaborating with artists as diverse as Seamus Heaney, Richard Curtis, and Billy Connolly.

Making a transition into oil painting, Joel became fascinated by narrative paintings by using cinematic compositions and stylised poses. His aim is to convey his subject’s emotional inner life in a clear distilled aesthetic form. His inspiration is drawn from vintage magazines, chiaroscuro masterpieces and contemporary settings in his adoptive city of Belfast.

Joel studied the traditional gazing techniques of old masters in at The Florence Studio, and all prima painting with the Russian artist Arthur Gain. His work has been purchased by international collectors and selected by the Royal Ulster Academy, The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and the Royal Scottish Academy annual exhibitions. His first solo show featured in the Belfast International Arts Festival.

All artworks are available to buy.

You can also buy art from this exhibition through the Own Art scheme which gives you an interest-free loan over 10 months (and you still get to take the art home immediately the exhibition ends).