Anthony Collins, painting the world one instant at a time
La Catedral Studios, Dublin — One of the pillar artists of La Catedral Studios is painter Anthony Collins, who has been part of the Studios for twenty-six years. Before dedicating himself fully to painting, Anthony spent some time in Cyprus and a number of years in Beatlemania London, immersed in the art world: working with galleries, opening his own gallery in Bloomsbury with two friends, and participating in exhibitions around the globe. During this time, he cultivated a fascination for people’s interactions with art, collecting experiences that would later shape his own creative practice.
After returning to Ireland, Anthony reconnected with his painting practice and enrolled at NCAD to study Painting and Art History, graduating in 1999. During this period, he wrote a thesis on Andy Warhol, analyzing a painting of a Coca-Cola bottle. Inspired by the atmosphere of the Cold War and the missile crisis, which instilled in Americans the fear of “not being here tomorrow,” Anthony reflected on Warhol’s idea that art should be experienced in a single, immediate moment, an engagement that is fleeting, intense, and fully present. Like a painting of a Coca-Cola, you can see it and taste the refreshing drink at once.
Anthony paints primarily en plein air, capturing landscapes in the moment and emphasizing mental and physical engagement with his surroundings. During his time painting outdoors in places such as Kerry, he completed hundreds of small works, each finished entirely on site in about thirty minutes, usually standing. His approach reflects a commitment to being present and capturing ephemeral beauty.
Over the years, Anthony’s style has blended watercolor, acrylic, and oil across diverse surfaces. His work includes both abstract paintings and interactive projects that explore human engagement with art. His handmade tools, painted in bright, inviting colors, are meant to draw attention and curiosity, encouraging people to interact with them as he does.
Anthony has also shared his practice with children, running workshops where they created items like hats and dragonflies. Selected by ARK in Temple Bar, he enjoyed the process of engaging young learners, though he does not plan to continue teaching formally.
Anthony’s landscapes and projects reflect a lifelong curiosity and responsiveness to the world around him. Whether through the delicate brushstrokes of a woodland scene, the playful vibrancy of his handmade tools, or the interactive experiences he creates, his work invites audiences to witness, reflect, and share in the process of making. At La Catedral Studios, Anthony’s art continues to celebrate imagination, experimentation, and the communal spirit that defines this creative hub.
Written by Federica Paletta