The Arts Council expresses its sadness at the passing of painter and Aosdána member, Gene Lambert

The Arts Council has expressed its sadness at the passing of painter and Aosdána member, Gene Lambert.

Born in Dublin in 1952, Gene Lambert was a towering figure in the Irish arts community, known for his distinctive and evocative work that spanned decades. 

Lambert studied at the National College of Art and Design and went on to have a prolific career, with notable solo exhibitions including Work from a Dark Room at the Douglas Hyde Gallery (1985), as well as shows in Copenhagen, Glasgow, and Bradford. His 1991 collaboration with poet Paul Durcan, In The Land of Punt, showcased his ability to merge visual and literary artistry in a powerful and thought-provoking manner. 

Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said: “Gene Lambert was a visionary whose work captured the complexities of the human experience with extraordinary depth and sensitivity. His contributions to Irish art, both as an individual artist and as a champion for accessibility and inclusion, have left an indelible mark. He will be greatly missed, but his work will continue to inspire generations to come.” 

A member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, Lambert regularly exhibited in its group shows, and his solo exhibition Playtime at the RHA Gallagher Gallery in the late 1990s demonstrated his ever-evolving approach to form and expression. His contributions to the Irish Exhibition of Living Art earned him the Carroll’s Award in 1981, among many other accolades, including the Claremorris National Art Exhibition First Prize (1979) and the Sunday Tribune Visual Artist of the Year (1985). In 1982, he represented Ireland at the 14th International Festival of Painting in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France. 

Beyond his artistic achievements, Lambert was deeply engaged in public service, co-editing The Great Book of Ireland in 1991 and serving as a member of the Irish government’s National Disability Authority since its inception in 1999. His commitment to accessibility and representation in the arts will leave a lasting legacy.