John Kelly

This painting is part of Kelly’s early iconic cow series which ranged from 1992 – 1995, and were inspired by the work of artist Sir William Dobell.

During WWII Dobell was commissioned to make papier-mâché cows, to distract Japanese pilots surveying rural areas for military defense bases.

This bizarre operation was the influence of Kelly’s famous series of Australian artworks, of cows set in empty rural settings.

John Kelly obtained his Bachelor and Masters of Arts at RMIT University between 1985 and 1995.

Although he now lives in Ireland, he has a distinctive Australian humour in his work. Kelly has exhibited worldwide, including Paris, Monte Carlo, China and the UK.