JOHN CRONIN Contemporary Abstract Painter

John Cronin has been exhibiting internationally since the late 1980s after graduating from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). His abstract paintings have been shown across Europe, the U.S., and Asia alongside renowned artists such as Seán Scully, Cecily Browne, Ian Davenport, Mark Francis, Howard Hodgkin, Callum Inness, and Jason Martin. Cronin’s work explores the evolving dialogue between contemporary painting and artificial intelligence, using innovative materials and techniques to push the boundaries of abstraction.

John Cronin is represented by Green On Red Gallery, Dublin.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

JOHN CRONIN’S EXHIBITION HISTORY REFLECTS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO ABSTRACTION, TECHNOLOGY, AND MATERIALITY. KEY EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

• FICTIONAL FICTION (UPCOMING) - GREEN ON RED GALLERY, DUBLIN

• ARTIFICIAL BEE COLONY - GREEN ON RED GALLERY, DUBLIN

• ZXX images - ZXX TEXT - CATALOGUE - ESSAY JOHN YAU - ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMY, DUBLIN AND VOLTA NYC USA

• STANDARD DEVIATION - GREEN ON RED GALLERY, DUBLIN

• AUGMENTED REALITY - GREEN ON RED GALLERY, DUBLIN

• PALINODE - GREEN ON RED GALLERY, DUBLIN ESSAY DONALD KUSPIT

EACH EXHIBITION REPRESENTS A DISTINCT BODY OF WORK, ADDING NEW CONCEPTUAL AND MATERIAL DIMENSIONS TO HIS PRACTICE.

PAINTING IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELEGENCE

“I see myself as a contemporary painter working in the resurgent field of abstraction.”

Cronin’s work examines how technological developments—particularly artificial intelligence—reshape artistic production. He draws parallels between historic shifts in art and today’s digital transformation, positioning AI as a force that not only alters how art is made, but also how humanity understands itself.

“For painting to be relevant it must reflect the times it was produced in and also move with the times.”

MATERIAL, SURFACE & PROCESS

By varying his supports, Cronin creates distinct dialogues within his work. Aluminium, with its rigid and floating qualities, references modern technology and screen-based culture, allowing paint to sit on the surface with clarity and precision.

In contrast, canvas introduces an art-historical and material narrative. Its absorbent nature allows for pooling and organic mark-making, complementing the artist’s mechanical and gestural processes. Palette knives and spreaders play a central role across both supports, while brushes become particularly significant on canvas.

This dual approach allows Cronin to balance control and unpredictability, structure and intuition.

SELECTED COLLECTIONS | JOHN CRONIN

 AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON \ ARTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND

ACC BANK, PLC. 

AER LINGUS LTD.

ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC.

A&L GOODBODY

AMROP INTERNATIONAL 

ARTHUR COX SOLICITORS

AXA INSURANCE

BANG

BANK GESELLSCHAFT BERLIN PLC.

BANK OF IRELAND LTD.

CITIGROUP, DUBLIN

CITIBANK, LONDON

CITIBANK LA PLEINE, BRUSSELS

CONTEMPORARY IRISH ART SOCIETY 

DAKOTA 

DEPT. OF AN TAOISEACH

DEPT. OF FINANCE 

DUBLIN CASTLE

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL, CIVIC OFFICES

TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLIN

EAGLE STAR LTD.

ENTERPRISE IRELAND

FITZWILLIAM HOTEL 

FRIENDS FIRST

FUJI IRELAND

FYFFES GROUP IRELAND LTD.

GLOBAL CROSSING

GOLDMAN SACHS, LONDON

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SERVICES

GUINNESS IRELAND LTD.

HAYES SOLICITORS

HERBERT PARK HOTEL

HERTZ EUROPE LTD.

HUGH LANE MUNICIPAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART, DUBLIN

HUNT COLLECTION, LIMERICK

HSE, WATERFORD 

IONA TECHNOLOGIES, PLC.

IPUT, DUBLIN

IRISH EMBASSY, LAGOS, NIGERIA 

IRISH FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRE

IRISH LIFE LTD. 

IRISH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

JONES GROUP

JONES LANG LASALLE

KODAK

LION COURT CAPITAL

MARSH

MCCANN FITZGERALD 

MOUNT CARMEL HOSPITAL

MICROSOFT

NATIONAL COLLECTION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

NATIONAL SELF-PORTRAIT COLLECTION, LIMERICK

NORTHERN TRUST

OCEAN COMMUNICATIONS

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

OFFICE OF THE REVENUE COMMISSIONERS

PALM DATA TECHNOLOGIES

RHEINISCH-WESTFÄLISCHES ELECTRIZITÄTZWERK (RWE) AG, ESSEN, GERMANY

ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 

ROYAL HOSPITAL, BELFAST

SUSQUEHANNA BANK LTD.

SCOTT TALLON WALKER, DUBLIN AND LONDON 

SMURFIT CAPITAL

ST. JAMES' HOSPITAL

ST. VINCENTS' HOSPITAL

THE DENTAL HOSPITAL

THE STATE LABORATORY AT BACKWESTON

THE LAW LIBRARY

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

TRINTEC INC. DUBLIN AND CALIFORNIA 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK 

VISIO INTERNATIONAL LTD. 

VISION CONSULTING LTD. 

WORLDCOM

REPRESENTATION

John Cronin is represented by Green On Red Gallery, Dublin.

 Instagram @johncroninstudio