Michael Heffernan Works

The synthesis of visual and poetic language.

The Terrace Studio

Born in Dublin 1954, Michael works full-time from his studio in Marietta, 30 minutes north of the city of Atlanta, Georgia. He focused on abstract conceptual works during the pandemic, lockdown, and isolation. In June 2020 he began writing poetry to recall childhood memories, his life in Ireland, and indeed as a coping mechanism in a time of uncertainty. The intensity of this focus has led to a practice inspired by the overlap of visual and written language as mark-making and combined forms of expression and storytelling.

This ongoing endeavor is called "wayfinding through visual and poetic language". This body of work was the basis for his solo exhibition "Wayfinding" from January 7 until March 12, 2023, at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. A follow-up solo exhibition of Wayfinding was held at The Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville, GA from June 15 through August 12, 2023.

Michael works full-time from his terrace studio where he continues conceptual development of the wayfinding series of abstract expressionist, and contemporary landscape paintings in conjunction with his writing.

"The seamless expression excites me, the search and expression of emotional connection with the viewer, providing just enough for the viewer to participate, interpret and engage in the work. I like to think I can draw the viewer into the paintings, and they discover interesting passages each time they engage with them, especially over time. I strive for consistency in my visual vocabulary that I continue to extrapolate and explore as I progress in my obsession with the materiality of paint and its boundless possibilities.

He graduated from the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) Dublin in 1975, and Birmingham Polytechnic, with a postgraduate in Industrial Design Engineering in 1977. As an award-winning designer, he moved to the US with his family in 1989 where he spent over 35 years in several "C" suite leadership positions.

Michael has been represented by RobertKent Galleries since 2018 and he is a consistent participant in ArtWalk monthly exhibits.