John Beattie (b.1980) is a visual artist, originally from Donegal, and currently lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. His work examines cultural narratives, primarily through the lens of still (photography) and moving-image (video). For Beattie, the theme of temporality and it’s interpretation is part of the medium he works with. A characteristic of his practice is to stage and re-stage subjects/objects for his still and moving-image productions. With his early background in painting, Beattie works with the cinematic lens through a painterly aesthetic.

Examples of his most recent work are: Shadowing the Archives, in collaboration with the National Archives of Ireland, funded by the Department of the Arts, Dublin Castle, 2023; Reconstructing Mondrian, his solo museum exhibition at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin, 2023; and An Artist, The Studio, and all the rest… Part 1 and Part 2, exhibited as a solo exhibition at the RHA, Dublin, funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.

Beattie has been awarded a number of residencies to date, including: The National Archives of Ireland for the State Decade of Centenaries Programme 2021-2023; the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, 2020; the apexart Fellowship, New York, 2015; IMMA, Dublin, 2011; Temple Bar Gallery & Studio, Dublin, 2010; the RHA, Dublin, 2010; and Fire Station Artists’ Studios, Dublin, 2006- 2009. His practice has been supported and acknowledged through awards and bursaries such as The Arts Council Travel & Training Bursary, The Arts Council Projects Awards, The Arts Council Visual Artist Bursary’s, The Donegal County Council Artist Bursary’s, an Open EV+A Award, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Hennessy Portrait Prize finalist at the National Gallery of Ireland, and received the Arts Humanities Research Board grant in 2003-2005.

Beattie’s work is in public and private collections, including: The Hugh Lane Gallery Collection, The Office of Public Works, and The Arts Council of Ireland Collection.