Retrospective Exhibition | Graham Knuttel at The Royal Dublin Society (RDS)

Event Details

An exclusive retrospective exhibition celebrating the life’s work of one of Ireland’s most distinctive and provocative artists Graham Knuttel will take place in the Minerva Suite at The RDS, Dublin on 19th – 21st September 2025.

Knuttel died at the age of 69 in 2023. He was one of the best known contemporary Irish artists, found in public and private collections around the world. His work captured the contradictions of modern life through his vivid, stylised works. His bold use of colour and sharp, angular figures became synonymous with the boom years of the Celtic Tiger, portraying shady characters, gangsters, and sultry women in a way that exposed the undercurrents of greed and power beneath the surface.

Known internationally, Knuttel’s work attracted collectors such as Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro and Frank Sinatra, in addition to attracting numerous portrait commissions for renowned figures such as Christy Moore and John B. Keane, cementing his place as a unique observer of contemporary society.

The exhibition will showcase a lifetime of work from his illustrious career, including iconic paintings, sculptures crafted from bronze, silver and wood, the Knuttel Linley collaborative chess set and tapestries that earned him international recognition. This must-see event offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of Knuttel’s artistic vision and immerse themselves with Knuttel’s unmistakable blend of vivid colour, storytelling, and intricate character studies. In addition, the show will feature two of his very last works – a sculpture and painting he had just completed before his unexpected death on a trip to Spain.

One of Knuttel’s most striking creations was the elaborate chess set that he made in collaboration with the renowned furniture designer and manufacturer David Linley, which will take centre piece of the Retrospective Exhibition.