Introduction

Kevin Killen is a Belfast based sculptor whose practice focuses on making hidden systems of movement and connection visible through light, structure and form. Combining light, line, structure and site-specific research, he creates public artworks and sculptural installations that translate journeys, routes, gathering patterns and fleeting moments into physical form.

His work often begins with walking, mapping, photography and close observation of place. Using light as both material and drawing tool, Killen captures traces of movement that are usually temporary or unseen, transforming them into sculptural works that hold memory, rhythm and connection within public space. His works often act as snapshots of lived experience, representing people's physical journeys, repeated gestures and shared movement through the built environment.

Killen obtained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College, now UCA, in 1999, and undertook specialist training in neon making in Dallas, Texas, in 2009. His hands-on knowledge of neon, light, fabrication and installation remains central to his practice, allowing him to develop works from initial concept through to making, engineering and final installation.

Recent and selected public artworks and light based projects include Journeylines, York Street, Belfast, 2023/24; Murmur, Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, 2021; Artificial Sunlight, The Argory, National Trust, County Armagh, 2018; Tipping Point, QSS Bedford Street, Belfast, 2016; Infinity Studies: Monotony; Capillarium; Murmuration; Nexus; and Reflections, Belfast Grand Central Station.

Selected exhibitions include Ireland Glass Biennale, Dublin Castle, 2023 and 2019; Bending Glass, Flax Art Studios, Belfast, 2022; LUX, Solstice Arts Centre, 2018; CAST, Luan Gallery, Athlone, 2018; Sculpture in the City, London, 2017; Dissolving Histories: A Moment in Time, Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast, 2017; Tipping Point, QSS Bedford Street, Belfast, 2016; and A1, F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge, 2015.

Killen's work is held in a number of public and private collections, including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Queen's University Belfast and Belfast City Hospital.

Selected publications include New Glass Review 39, The Corning Museum of Glass, USA, 2018; Sculpture Magazine, USA, September issue, 2017; and Frieze.com, 2017

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Details


Name: Kevin Killen

Nationality: Northern Irish

Education

1996-1999 Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College (now the UCA) - BA Hon


Date

Selected Art Commissions


2026

Reflections

Golden Thread Gallery and Belfast Translink, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Large-scale permanent public artwork for a major transport interchange and public realm setting.

2025

Bee Line

Tipperary County Council, Ireland. Permanent public artwork commission for a civic setting.

2024

Nexus

Templemore, Ireland. Suspended interior steel and LED artwork exploring connection and spatial systems within a civic building.

2023-2024

Journeylines, York Street

Belfast Translink and Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Site-responsive permanent artwork developed from journeys, routes and urban movement at York Street Station. Steel and light-based forms derived from long exposure photography of passenger flow and transport infrastructure.

2021

Beacon

Hillsborough - Lisburn City Council.

2021

Murmurations

Emigration National Museums NI - FO District Council

2020

Murmur

Armagh City - ABC Council

2020

Jaunting

Larne Council

2019

Stag & Hound

Drumnaph Community Nature Reserve

2018

LUX London

Broadgate, City of London

2018

Artificial Sunlight

Argory National Trust

2018

Epoch

Dallas Texas USA

2017

Student

Ratoath College Meath

2017

Murmuration

St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne

2017

Matrix

Colaiste De Lacy

2016

A1 to FE McWilliam Gallery

FE McWilliam Gallery

2016

Capillarium

Queens University & The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute

2015

Irish Yew Tree

Killesher Community Association

2015

Rights Respecting

Dundonald School cluster

2015

Pomeroy Lady

Cookstown District Council

2014

Hawthorn Boundaries

Cookstown District Council

2013

Hearts

Newtownabbey Borough Council

2013

Salmon & Wild Flowers

Magherafelt District Council

2012

The Titanic

Belfast City Council

2012

Jubilee Tree

Whitehead


Date


Selected Exhibitions


Location


2023

Ireland Glass Biennale

Dublin Castle, Ireland

Group Exhibition

2022

Bending Glass

Flax Art Studios, Belfast

Group Exhibition

2019

Ireland Glass Biennale

Dublin Castle

Group Exhibition

2018

LUX

Solstice Arts Centre

Group Exhibition

2018

CAST

Luan Gallery Athlone

Group Exhibition

2018

MTV RE:DEFINE

Dallas Texas

Group Exhibition

2017

Dissolving Histories: A Moment in Time

Golden Thread Galley

Group Exhibition

2017

Sculpture in the City London 2017

City of London Square Mile

Group Exhibition

2017

Breath Breathless

R Space Lisburn

Group Exhibition

2016

Tipping Point

QSS Bedford St belfast

Group Exhibition

2016

Young II

SO Fine Art Editions Dublin

Group Exhibition

2015

Endless Wander

Golden Thread Galley Project Space

Group Exhibition

2015

The WAC Awards Wells 15

Wells Somerset

Group Exhibition

2014

Foundation14 -Battery+

Co Offaly

Group Exhibition

2010

A Walk Through a Sculptors Garden

F.E. McWilliam Gallery N. Ireland

Group Exhibition

2005

Colour

Omma Contemporary Art Crete/Greece

Group Exhibition

2004

Playtime

Belfast Waterfront Hall N. Ireland

Group Exhibition

2003

RDS Awards

West Cork Arts Centre Ireland

Group Exhibition

2003

RDS Awards

Irish Linen Museum Lisburn N. Ireland

Group Exhibition

2018

Streel Flow

Broadgate, City of London

Solo Exhibition

2018

Artificial Sunlight

National Trust Argory

Solo Exhibition

2015

A1 to F.E. McWilliam Gallery

F.E. McWilliam Gallery Entrance

Solo Exhibition

2015

Certain Moments

The University Art Gallery Belfast

Solo Exhibition

2003

On the margins

Belfast Waterfront Hall Belfast

Solo Exhibition

2002

The Outsider

The Market Place Galley Armagh

Solo Exhibition

Date

Awards

Location


2020

FSNI R&D Grant

Future Screens NI


2018

New Glass Review 39

The Corning Museum of Glass USA


2017

Celeste Prize 2017 Finalist

London 9th edition


2015

Membership of the RBSS

Royal Society of Sculptors


2015

WAC Awards Short Listed

Wells Somerset England


2015

ACEs Award

Northern Ireland Arts Council


2014

American Art Awards

3rd Place Sculpture Abstract Award 2014


2014

Golden Thread Gallery

Career Enchantment Programme Belfast


2009

ACNI Travel Award

USA Neon Skills Development


2004

General Art Awards Scheme

Northern Ireland Arts Council


2003

General Art Awards Scheme

Northern Ir eland Arts Council


2003

RDS Dublin metal work

Ireland



Date Selected Publications

2018 New Glass Review 39 - The Corning Museum of Glass USA 2018 UTV Life TV - May

2017 Sculpture Magazine USA http://www.sculptureonline.org/sculpture September Issue 2017 https://frieze.com/article/buffer-zone

2017 https://www.sectorlight.com/blog/sculpture-in-the-city-2017-spotlight-on-kevin-killen

2017 https://intersectinginterests.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/still-its-time-based/

2017 https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/visual_arts/sculpture_in_the_city_london_sculpture_festival/4847

2017 https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cf7a10_7868f56ac7dd4db1ac84328df4159073.pdf

2017 https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visit-the-city/art-architecture/sculpture-in-the-city/Pages/ about-the-artworks.aspx

2016

Art Reveal Magazine - https://issuu.com/artrevealmagazine/docs/no_23/46


SBN number:9781366565723

2016

Art By Nature - https://issuu.com/artbynaturemag/docs/number_5_artbijnaturemag (pages 54 to 59)

2016

NY Arts Magazine http://www.nyartsmagazine.com/?p=24581

2016

Re: Sculpt In the Studio with Kevin Killen Jan 2016 by Dorothy Hunter


http://blog.sculpture.org/2016/01/13/kevin-killen/

2015

Visual Artist Ireland New Sheet “How’s it Made‘ Issue 3 May - June 2015


http://visualartists.ie/articles/van-mayjune-2015-capturing-passing-moments-by-kevin-killen/

2015

Northern Vision TV Belfast Collapse the Box: A conversation with Kevin Killen

https://vimeo.com/128388256