Brian was trained at the Royal Academy of Art London.
His paintings have been exhibited and installed at Cathedrals and institutions worldwide:
“The Life of Rev. John Roberts”
Thirteen commissioned paintings for Rev. Dr. John Roberts premiered at the John Roberts Festival, and embarked on an international tour.
Learn more…
The international tour began in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 2014, with a stop in Brussels and its final resting place and installation at Norwich Cathedral during September/October 2015, the 100-year anniversary of Edith Cavell’s execution. The paintings returned to Belgium in 2019, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula to mark the Translation of Edith’s body from Brussels to Norwich Cathedral.
This tour showcased works inspired by the Irish diaspora. The tour began at West London’s PM Gallery, where award-winning journalist Fergal Keane opened the exhibition; moved on to the Celtic Fringe show at the Licco de Noya Institute in Galicia Spain; and the Villanova University Art Gallery in Philadelphia
Screenwriter of three produced films (one funded and archived by National Gallery of Art, London) and author of one play (premiered by Green Curtain Theatre Company on the London stage in 2018). Author of numerous books.
I think God has His hand on Brian… His art is so original and comes from within, which always makes people think.
—Art Critic, Sister Wendy Beckett
| 2025 | Holy Trinity Wallstreet St Paul’s Chapel, NYC, USA |
| 2024 | Holy City – a Spiritual Pilgrimage – Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, Hartford, Connecticut |
| 2023 – 2025 | The Life of Rev John Roberts of the Wind River Reservation Wyoming – Currently on an International Tour |
| 2023 – 2024 | Holy City at Fairfield University – Barone Center, University of Fairfield, Fairfield, CT, USA |
| 2021 | Public Personas – Westport River Gallery, Westport, Connecticut, USA |
| 2019 | La Passion d’Edith Cavell – Cathédrale des Sts Michel et Gudule, Bruxelles, Belgium |
| Head to Head – Waterford, Virginia, USA | |
| 2018 | Noli Me Tangere – Waterford, Virginia, USA |
| A Tragic Carmody – London, UK | |
| 2017 | Mystery of the Message – Waterford, Virginia, USA |
| Country Pursuits – Middleburg, Virginia, USA | |
| Holy City, A Pilgrimage of Sight – Washington, DC, USA | |
| 2016 | Summer Solstice – Waterford, Virginia, USA |
| 2015 | Winter Solstice – Waterford, Virginia, USA |
| The Passion of Edith Cavell – Norwich Cathedral, Norwich, UK | |
| The Passion of Edith Cavell – Basilica of Koekelberg, Brussels, Belgium | |
| Summer Solstice – Waterford, Virginia, USA | |
| 2014 | The Passion of Edith Cavell – Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC. USA |
| St. Ives Cross – St Ives Church, St. Ives, Cornwall, UK | |
| Brian Whelan at Duvall’s Designs – Millwood, Virginia,USA | |
| 2013 | From Here…To Epiphany – Mandell’s Gallery, Norwich, UK |
| Brentwood Cross – Brentwood Cathedral, Brentwood, UK | |
| Holy City Collection – Arusha Art at The Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK | |
| 2012 | Mystery of the Message – St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Sq. London,UK |
| The Passion of St Edmund – St. Edmundsbury, Bury St. Edmunds, UK | |
| Brian Whelan – London Illuminated 2012 – Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall, London, UK | |
| Brian Whelan – Un Peregrinaje para la Mirada – Club Financiero Atlántico, La Coruna, Spain | |
| Brian Whelan at Los Catolicos Parador – Santiago de Compostela, Spain | |
| 2011 | Brian Whelan at the Cathedral – Norwich Cathedral, Norwich, UK |
| Brian Whelan at St Martins – St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK | |
| 2010 | Sacred Space – The Sacred Space Gallery, Notting Hill, London, UK |
| Saints and Cities – St. Michael and All Saints, Barnes, London, UK | |
| Ciudad Santa – The Jose Lorenzo Gallery, Santiago de Compostela, Spain | |
| 2009 | Christmas Show (solo) – Hospital Arts, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK |
| 2008 | A Casket of Wonders – St. Edmundsbury Cathedral Gallery, Bury St. Edmunds, UK |
| Spirited Tails – Crome Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, UK | |
| Salvation – Damnation – St. Martin’s Window Gallery, London, UK | |
| 2007 | Holy Ground – St. Edmundsbury Cathedral Cloister Gallery, Suffolk, UK |
| Holy Ground – Crome Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, UK | |
| Whelan at City Hall – At the invitation of the Mayor of London, Westminster, London, UK | |
| 2006 | Pillar of Salt – St. Benedict’s, Abbey Ealing, London, UK |
| 2005 | The Feast Day of St. Edmund – St. Edmundsbury Cathedral Cloister Gallery, UK |
| Red Roads Kampala – Golf Course Apartments, Kampala, Uganda | |
| The Myth of Return – Hammersmith Irish Arts Centre, London, UK | |
| 2004 | We Three Kings – The Ellises, Stradbroke, Suffolk, UK |
| The Miracle of the Holy House – Church of Reconciliation, Walsingham, Norfolk, UK | |
| 2003 | The Holy House – Benedictine Arts and Study Centre Gallery, London, UK |
| A Flag for the Irish Diaspora – Tricycle Theatre Gallery, Kilburn, London, UK | |
| 2002 | From Eternity to Oblivion – The Irish Club, Eaton Square, London, UK |
| 2001 | Night Train – Limelight Gallery, Lewisham, London, UK |
| Holy Orders – Hammersmith Irish Arts Centre, Hammersmith, London, UK | |
| 1987 | The Abbot Hall Art Gallery – Kendal, Cumbria, UK |
| The Grundy Gallery – Blackpool, Lancashire, UK | |
| 1986 | Vernon Gallery – Preston, Lancashire, UK |
| 1985 | Gallery Siau – Amsterdam, Netherlands |
It is rare to find a contemporary artist so confident in his portrayal of traditional religious themes.
—Rev. Canon John McLuckie, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
