About & CV etc.

Seán HIllen CV click here

Seán Hillen (b. 1961, Newry, Northern Ireland) is a contemporary Irish artist renowned mostly for his distinctive photo-collages that blend documentary photography with surreal, often satirical elements. His work navigates themes of identity, conflict, and cultural mythology, employing humor and irony to address serious subjects.

Early Life and Education

Growing up in Newry, a border town during the Troubles, Hillen witnessed firsthand the tumult and division of Northern Ireland. To steer him away from the conflict, his parents encouraged his interest in photography, providing him with his first camera. He studied at Belfast College of Art before moving to London, where he furthered his education at the London College of Printing and the Slade School of Fine Art.

The Troubles and Early Photographic Work

In the 1980s, Hillen's black-and-white documentary photographs captured the stark realities of life during the Troubles. His images, which often juxtaposed everyday scenes with the backdrop of conflict, gained international recognition. The whole collection of photographs was acquired by the National Library of Ireland as The Seán Hillen Collection in 2011.
A selection of 120 photos was published by The History Press as a book titled Melancholy Witness in 2013, with captions by the artist and jacket endorsements by Nobel prizewinner Seamus Heaney and Yeats' biographer and Carrol Professor of Irish History at Oxford Roy Foster.
It was republished in 2014 in the U.S. by Tafalgar Square Press and was a Publisher's Weekly 'Pick of The Year'.
As of June 2025 it is about to go into its fourth printing.

Irelantis: A Visionary Collage Series

In the mid-1990s, Hillen began the Irelantis series, a collection of paper photo-collages that reimagined Ireland's landscapes by merging them with fantastical elements. Drawing inspiration from tourist postcards, particularly those by John Hinde, Hillen inserted surreal features like pyramids and space stations into iconic Irish sites. The series, which was launched with an introduction by Fintan O'Toole and an opening speech by Seamus Heaney, became a significant cultural commentary and has featured on over 50 book and magazine covers.

Later Work and Recognition

Beyond Irelantis, Hillen has explored various themes through his art. His series People With Broken Umbrellas in Dublin captures the city's urban landscape, while What’s Wrong with Kittens in the Sistine Chapel juxtaposes classical art with contemporary imagery. His work has been exhibited internationally and is held in several prominent collections, including the Imperial War Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland. 
With Desmond Fitzgerald he co-designed the Omagh Bomb Memorial and has also executed commissions including public sculpture for Dublin City Council and a major atrium sculpture for the Citi Group building in Dublin.

Recent Developments

In 2022, a documentary titled Tomorrow is Saturday was released, offering an in-depth look at Hillen's life and artistic journey. The film won the Irish Doc Fest Audience Choice Award and was recognized as Factual Programme of the Year by the Royal Television Society.
It was released on Netflix (Europe) in 2023 and in slightly censored form (to conform to Youtube standards) on the Bingeworthy Documentaries Channel on YouTube for viewers in the U.S. and elsewhere in 2025.
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmsJSzvIiO4&ab_channel=AFISilverTheatre

https://www.netflix.com/watch/81594125

In U.S. and other territories:
https://youtu.be/VMxagHREjzk?si=b07SlVE7WMBBwN-o

Conclusion

Seán Hillen's work stands as a testament to the power of art in reflecting and reshaping cultural narratives. Through his innovative use of photo-collage, he continues to challenge perceptions and provoke thought, making significant contributions to contemporary Irish and European art.

Read More
You can read articles about Hillen's work at:
The British Journal of Photography online:
https://www.1854.photography/2018/09/the-wonderful-world-of-sean-hillen/
RTÉ online:
https://www.rte.ie/culture/2017/1020/913958-21st-century-ireland-in-21-artworks/
The Irish Times: 
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-and-design/visual-art/the-darker-side-of-irelantis-was-lost-on-us-a-decade-ago-1.577064