Keith Drury (born 1964) is a Northern Ireland artist initially known for oil paintings and for cityscapes created by 3D modelling. Many of his early oil on canvas artworks gained national media attention. He is now best known for his intricate and highly coloured urban landscapes.
Drury’s elementary education was at Newtownbreda Primary School and his secondary education was completed at Annadale Grammar School.[2] He went on to graduate from Queen's University Belfast with an Honours degree in Business and Economics (BSSc Hons) before working at Short Brothers and in the National Health Service.[3] Returning to QUB, he graduated with a degree in Theology and became an ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. During this period, Drury was the Minister of May Street Church Belfast and served as a Board Member of Belfast City Centre Management, working with the Chamber of Commerce and Department for Regional Development. After 19 years in ministry, he resigned to become a professional artist in 2009.[1] During this time, Drury combined art with graphic design and book publishing before his 3D modelling style became successful and he was able to work full-time as an artist.[3]
The majority of Drury’s art is created at his home studio but his work can be viewed and purchased at his gallery (open to the public) on the Belmont Road in East Belfast.[4][2]
Controversy
'Chuckle Brothers' - Paisley & McGuinness (oil on canvas)
Drury went professional as an artist in 2009.[5][3] His early works were mainly oil on canvas and some featured controversial subjects, or included political and religious satire.
In 2010 Drury exhibited an oil painting in the Marketplace Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh which alluded to the child abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. It pictured Cardinal Sean Brady, head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, who was involved in an alleged cover-up, wearing a baby’s dummy (pacifier) instead of a crucifix. There were calls for the portrait to be removed from public display. Defending his work, Drury told the press that although people could choose to take offence, the painting could be viewed in a variety of ways.[5]
Emerging style
‘Norn Island’
After the controversy, Drury moved away from oil on canvas and created a new style of artworks using 3D modelling. He used this technique to produce urban landscapes and cityscapes, featuring well-known local landmarks combined with elements of humor and political satire. Each picture can take up to three months to complete due to the complex modelling process and the high levels of detail included. Most of the scenes include a red telephone box, a red postbox and a clock which tells the same time. Drury deliberates for hours on inconsequential details such as a perforated brake disc on a Harley-Davidson motorbike.[4] Many British and international towns and cities are featured in the artworks.[7][8][9]
In 2007, Drury was commissioned by Irish author and film/documentary-maker, Don Mullan, to paint a portrait of Brazilian footballer Pelé. Drury personally presented the completed oil painting to Pelé at a Pelé Pequeno Principe Research event he was hosting in Dublin.[4][9]
Drury was commissioned to create a portrait of the newly inaugurated 44th US president Barack Obama in 2009. It was presented to The President’s Club Charitable Trust in Belfast on the day of the US presidential inauguration.[11] Later that year Drury travelled to Southampton to meet 97 year old Millvina Dean, the youngest passenger and last remaining survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. He was the last person to officially interview her as she died a few days later.[12][13][9]
In 2010, Drury won an international competition to produce a public commission artwork for Belfast City Council. The completed work is a collection of portraits interpreting the Irish history and heritage of Belfast. The piece’s Irish title is: ‘Ar scath a cheile a mhaireas na daoine’ (‘It is in the shelter of each other that people live’) and featured five prominent Belfast Irish cultural revivalists. This mixed media artwork is on permanent public display as part of the city's art collection at Belfast City Hall.[4][9]
In 2021, his ‘Rainfall Series’ (oil on canvas) paintings, depicting iconic Belfast buildings, featured in the ITV production Marcella.
Corporate Commissions
The National Trust commissioned Drury to create an artwork to promote and celebrate a Van Morrison music festival, Back in Down, at the Castle Ward Estate in 2013.[15]
In June 2018, MJM Marine commissioned an artwork to mark the launch of their contract to refurbish the Azamara Pursuit cruise ship. Drury presented the completed piece to then President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, Larry Pimentel at the Titanic Hotel .
Danske Bank commissioned an artwork in September 2018 and Bunzl McLaughlin (part of Bunzl plc) presented Drury’s 'Up the Farset' artwork to the Hastings Hotel Group later the same year.
In 2022, Drury’s art was part of a nationwide advertising and marketing campaign for The Boulevard in collaboration with BWP Group.
In 2023, Drury was commissioned by Hardy Distribution to create a bespoke customisation for Boost Drinks to celebrate the company’s twentieth anniversary in business.
Awards and Recognition
2023: UK Government and Northern Ireland Office: In recognition of Drury’s contribution to the Arts, a special invitation was issued to attend an event at 10 Downing Street to celebrate the culture of Northern Ireland.
2022: Ulster Tatler Awards: Nominated for Arts’ Personality of the Year.
2010: Belfast City Council: Winner of an international art competition to interpret the history and heritage of Belfast. This mixed media painting is on permanent public display at Belfast City Hall as part of the city’s art collection.
2024: Isaac Theatre Royal New Zealand Christchurch Landing (solo exhibition/ 3D art on canvas).
2022: Titanic HotelThe Frida Series, Belfast and North Coast Highlights (solo exhibition/mixed media).
2018: Grand Opera HouseA Showcase of 3D Cityscapes: Belfast, Dublin and London (solo exhibition/3D art on canvas).
2018: The Old InnCelebratingthe Best of N.Ireland in 3D (solo exhibition/ 3D art).
2010: The Marketplace Theatre and Arts CentreUp Your Street and In Your Face exhibition of a range of satirical portraits featuring political and religious figures (solo exhibition/ oil on canvas).
2009: The Waterfront HallIconic Belfast Buildings (group exhibition/oil on canvas).
Philanthropic activity
Drury is a Patron of the National Autistic Society in Northern Ireland
Keith, along with his wife, Deborah, and former staff member, Matthew McComb, (a games developer with Asperger syndrome), were involved in a doctoral research project at Queen's University Belfast.[4] They developed a virtual reality (VR) programme using specially created scenes in 3D to assist children with autism. This innovative project used 3D models of Keith’s art to create a virtual learning environment to help autistic children improve their coping mechanisms when faced with uncertain situations.[4]
Drury was formally diagnosed with autism in 2023. The complex detail and intricate patterns in his art have been attributed to a talent made possible by his neurodiversity. Keith and Deborah are Patrons of the National Autistic Society (NAS) for Ards and North Down and have assisted with fundraising efforts for other local charities in Northern Ireland.
New Work
‘We’re All Mad Here’ will be published in 2025 exploring issues related to neurodiversity and mental health. This mixed media series (3D and oil on canvas) is based on a modern interpretation of the character of Alice from Lewis Carroll’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and will be diverse in style, colour and composition. The intention is to open conversations and raise awareness of issues related to mental health.
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