PIGSY
Born in Dublin, Ireland
Living and working in Mexico
Ciarán McCoy - known by his artistic alter ego "PIGSY" - creates work that contrasts the disciplined structure of his architectural training with raw, intuitive creativity. As an architect and member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, he uses his art as a diverging deconstruction process, delving deep into the human psyche. The artist name "PIGSY" is inspired by a character from the '80s TV show “Journey to the West” (Monkey Magic), a favorite from his childhood.
He is an artist that has overcome the stigma of dyslexia in academic learning and was raised in a traditional Catholic family, and attended an all-Irish language (Gaeilge) school. PIGSY’s art challenges the biases that shape our psychological mindset by exploring the process of discarding the unnecessary. Fascinated by the complexities of the mind, PIGSY confronts the inner "beasts" that gnaw at his consciousness through gestural painting. Each stroke uncovers layers of emotion and thought, as he seeks to heal the inner scars left by life's experiences.
PIGSY's artistic practice directly opposes the calculated rigor of architecture, embracing unrestrained spontaneity and imperfection. He works with a variety of mediums, often incorporating discarded materials to challenge conventional paradigms and push the boundaries of traditional art. His work seeks to connect with viewers by exploring deeper aspects of self and society, encouraging reflection and personal insight.
Education/Qualifications:
2019: Con. Arch.G3, Accredited in Conservation, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
2016: MRIAI, Registration Admission Examinations, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
2013: Env. Design, Accredited in Environmental Design, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
1996: Dip. Arch. Tech., Bolton Street, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland
1993: Draughtsmanship, Pearse College Dublin, Ireland
Solo Exhibitions
2024: "First Things Last" La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2023: “Lost in Thought” Ranelagh Arts, Dublin, Ireland
2021: "Catharsis of Collapse" Kenmare Butter Market, Kerry, Ireland
2021: "I Went to Mass" La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2020: "Seven Spanish Angels" Designyard Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2019: “Squash Soldiers” Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin, Ireland
2017: "Nostalgia’s Not What It Was" Fumbally Exchange, Dublin, Ireland
2016: "I Find You Fascinating" The Kemp Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
Group Exhibitions
2024: “Dislexia Quando Arte” Museu da Escola Catarinense (MESC), Florianópolis/SC, Brasil
2024: “Sound & Vision” Slow Lane Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2023: “PIÑA-TA” La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2023: Ranelagh Arts Winter Show, Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2023: “Ocupando O Invisivel” in Galeria Virtual, Brazil
2023: “Unframed” House of Hibernia, Gallery X, Dublin, Ireland
2023: Ranelagh Arts Festival Exhibition, Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Piñazo” Centro Cultural La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2022: “Piñazo” Galería Wish y Pop, Seville, Spain
2022: “Art Deli” Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Art for Christmas” FrameXperts, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Black and White Movement” Richmond Event & Exhibition Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2022: Domlexia "Dyslexia when art" (Dislexia quando arte) 3rd Digital Art Exhibition, Brazil
2022: “Cultural Natures” Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “LARBI” Slow Lane Gallery at Gallery X, Hume St, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Ranelagh Visual Arts Exhibition” Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “LCA Homiés Pop Art Exhibition” Art Homiés, Marbella, Spain
2022: “Wish & Pop” Seville, Spain
2021: “PIÑA de las Tentaciones” La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2021: “Studio Vibes” White Swan, Dublin, Ireland
2021: “Inside Out Home Show Event” Dublin, Ireland
2021: “Culture Night Live Performance Art” Kenmare Butter Market, Kerry, Ireland
2021: “Estival” Street Art Show, La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2021: “A Sense of Ireland” The Ireland Funds, Singapore
2021: “Exploring the senses of Art from Ireland to Asia” ArtXplor, Singapore
2020: “GLORIA” Slow Lane Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2020: “PIÑA y más allá” La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2020: “Savage” In-Spire Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2020: “Inside Out Home Show” Dublin, Ireland
2020: “PIGSY Art Showcase” Designyard Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2019: “Incognito” Jack & Jill’s Public Art Initiative, The Solomon Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2018: “Incognito” Jack & Jill’s Public Art Initiative, The Solomon Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2017: “The Cock & Pussy Manifesto” Gallery X, Dublin, Ireland
2017: “Three Generational Family Exhibition” Cabra Library, Dublin, Ireland
2016: “All Art is Theft” The Kemp Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2012: “Open House: Art & Architecture” LPA, Dublin, Ireland
2010: “Irish Crafts, Design & Art Sale” Dublin, Ireland
Art Fairs
2018: “The Other Art Fair London, Saatchi Art, Victoria House, London, England
Artist Talks
2024: “Artististas Juntos Salon Talk”, 360XQMX, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
2023: “The Gift of Dyslexia”, Ranelagh Arts, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Dyslexia as a Power”, Ranelagh Arts, Dublin, Ireland
2022: “Dyslexia and me”, Gallery X, Dublin, Ireland
2021: “Finisage talk, Catharsis of Collapse”, Kenmare Butter Market, Kerry, Ireland
2019: “PIGSY Film Screening, Artist Talk”, Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin, Ireland
Artist Residencies
2024: Artist in Residence, El Sur, Mexico City, Mexico
2024: Artist in Residence, 360XQMX, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
2024: Artist in Residence, Very Private Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain
2024: Artist in Residence, La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
2023: Artist in Residence, Ranelagh Arts Center, Dublin, Ireland
2021: Artist in Residence, La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
“PIGSY” Short Film and Screenings
Artist PIGSY discusses life with dyslexia. Directed by Mike Andrews//Edited by Stephanie Sammann
2024: “Artistas Juntos Salon”, 360XQMX, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
2021: “Movies at The Devlin”, Ranelagh Arts Festival, Stella Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
2019: “PIGSY Film Screening & Art Showcase”, Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin, Ireland
2018: “PIGSY” Official Selection, Irish Film Festival, London, England
2018: “PIGSY” Official Selection, IndieCork Festival, Cork, Ireland
2018: “PIGSY” Official Selection, Bristol Independent Film Festival, Bristol, England
2018: “PIGSY” Official Selection, 30th Galway Film Fleadh, Galway, Ireland
Selected Collections
Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin, Ireland
Private Collections in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, Canada, USA, England and Singapore
Gallery Representation
La Casa Amarilla Contemporary Art & Culture Centre, Malaga, Spain
Stone Step Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
The Design Yard, Dublin, Ireland
Professional Memberships
Visual Artists Ireland
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
Institute of Designers in Ireland
Contemporary Irish Art Society
The Artists Information Company, UK
Dyslexia Association of Ireland
