Michael Kane, a leading figure in Irish visual art for more than six decades, died in Dublin on Friday, May 23rd, at the age of 89.
His death came just one day after the opening of a new solo exhibition at Taylor Galleries.
Born in Dublin in 1935 and raised in Wicklow, Kane returned to the capital in the mid-1950s to study at the National College of Art and Design.
He emerged as a prominent force in Irish contemporary art in the 1960s, working prolifically in painting, drawing, and printmaking throughout his life.
Kane's work was widely exhibited in Ireland and abroad, with shows at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Royal Hibernian Academy, Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), and venues across Europe.
So sorry to hear of the death of artist Michael Kane. There may never be another memoir that so brilliantly captures a moment in Dublin as he did in Blind Dogs.
— Donal Fallon (@fallon_donal) May 24, 2025
Here is his depiction of Tony Cronin in Baggot Street.
Condolences to his family and many friends. pic.twitter.com/QTD1HTDwbL
At the time of his death, his work was featured in IMMA’s group exhibition Staying with the Trouble.
In addition to his artistic career, Kane played a significant role in shaping Ireland’s cultural infrastructure. He was a co-founder of the Project Arts Centre and a founding member of Aosdána, the national affiliation for artists. He was also active in the Independent Artists group and edited the sociopolitical art journal Structure.
Despite health issues in recent years, Kane remained active in his studio and continued producing new work until shortly before his death.
His final exhibition opened on May 22nd in Dublin, where the artist was present with family members.
Kane published an acclaimed memoir, Blind Dogs, in 2023, reflecting on his life and career.
He is survived by his wife, architect Shelley McNamara, his children Aoife and Oisín, and his brother Tony. He would have turned 90 on May 26th.
