JB Vallely is a highly respected Northern Irish visual artist based in Armagh, with a distinguished career spanning over 65 years. He studied at Belfast College of Art before continuing his education at Edinburgh College of Art, and has since become one of Ireland’s most recognisable and celebrated painters.

Vallely’s work is deeply rooted in Irish culture and identity, drawing strongly on his experience of rural life. His paintings explore themes of traditional music, agriculture and sport, capturing the rhythm, movement and communal spirit that define everyday life in Ireland. His celebrated series of traditional Irish musicians conveys both the energy of performance and the cultural importance of music within Irish society, while his depictions of cycling, road bowling and other sports communicate a powerful sense of physicality and motion.

Known for his vibrant colour palette and expressive, energetic forms, Vallely’s work balances observation with imagination, celebrating the character, humour and resilience of Irish life. Over the course of his career, he has exhibited widely in Ireland and internationally and has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of his contribution to Irish art. His work is held in many public and private collections, reflecting his lasting influence and standing within the contemporary Irish art world.