Stephen Forbes

Stephen Forbes was born in Northern Ireland in 1973. He completed his master's at the prestigious Royal Academy School in London and BA in Fine Art from Liverpool John Moores University. Since then has enjoyed international success.

Fascinated by people and their everyday interactions, his paintings focus on bustling crowd scenes, depicting groups of people going about their daily life. Depending on the seasons, his figures often appear in bright and vibrant colour on neutral backgrounds, allowing them to stand out, bold and impactful.

His impasto and textured approach to painting brings his figures to life, giving them a sense of liveliness and movement while creating a dynamic and energetic scene. Overall these paintings celebrate life and the joyful process of painting itself. There is a ‘happy” light touch, yet at the same time an underlying seriousness in the artist's intentions.

Forbes'  has exhibited at the Royal Academy Main Galleries, The Royal Academy Sackler Wing, The Royal Hibernian Academy Dublin, London Art Fair and Gormleys Fine Art.

His work is held in public and private collections including the Allied Irish Bank, The Deutsche Bank, The Four Seasons Hotel, Queens University Belfast, Leverhulme, The Ulster Bank and The Office of Public Works.