Frank Phelan – Study in Brown
The Frank Phelan studio timed online sale is at de Veres from August 27 to September 16. Irish born, Frank Phelan settled in London in the 1950s with sculptor Frank Morris, where he worked as a stagehand and set designer for a number of London theatres. He was a great drinking companion to Francis Bacon, who he regarded as his greatest artistic influence.
Phelan eventually made his way to Penzance and St. Ives where he befriended Tony O’Malley and other figures in the St. Ives circle including Roger Hilton, Patrick Heron and Conor Fallon. He spent his time working between Cornwall and a studio on the Fulham Road. He had his first solo show in 1966 at the Richard Demarco Gallery. His work, represented by Demarco during these years, was shown alongside Joseph Beuys, Paul Neagu, Ron Kitaj and Dame Elizabeth Frink. His exhibited internationally and in England, where he was represented by the Walton Gallery, Cricket Fine Art, and in later years by the Messum Gallery (Cork Street). He rarely showed in Ireland. A life-long member and ex-Chairman of the London Sketch Club Frank Phelan worked until his death in 2023, aged 91. Estimates for over 100 works in the sale range from €200-€3,000.
