Artist of the day: 2026

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Artist of the Day, September 9, 2026 : Hilary Heron, an Irish sculptor (#2627)

Hilary Heron (1923 – 1977) was a pioneering 20th-century Irish sculptor whose innovative work significantly influenced modern visual arts. Born in Dublin and educated at the National College of Art and Design, she quickly established a reputation for nonconformity and exceptional talent. Her early mastery of wood carving earned her three successive Taylor scholarships, followed by the inaugural Mainie Jellett travelling scholarship, which allowed her to study Romanesque carving across Europe.

Heron was a founding member of the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, regularly presenting highly sophisticated and witty compositions. In 1956, she achieved international recognition when she represented Ireland at the prestigious Venice Biennale alongside Louis le Brocquy. As her career progressed into the 1950s, Heron pivoted from traditional wood and stone to metal welding, drawing diverse stylistic inspiration from Sumerian, African, and cubist art traditions.

Her corporate-friendly legacy is defined by technical precision, strategic artistic evolution, and national merit, as evidenced by her government-commissioned global exhibitions. Her work continues to serve as an enduring benchmark for mid-century abstraction and creative leadership.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Hilary Heron or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Ms. Hilary Heron

Caesar, 1949

Lithic Bird, 1949

Girl with Pigtails, 1950

Romulus and Remus, Mid 20th Century

Crucifixion, Mid 20th Century

Jezebel, Mid 20th Century

Clonfinloch, 1951

Idol, 1951

The bride sketch, 1952

The Bride, 1952

Lady of the Rocks, 1953

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo, 1956
Installation view

Crazy Jane I, 1958

Crazy Jane III, 1958

Crown of Thorns, 1958

Bird Barking, 1959

Celtic Spirals, 1960

Chain Frame, 1960

Untitled, 1960

Drawing, c.1960

Face, c.1960

Standing Male, c.1960

Untitled, c.1960

Star Fish, 1961

Drift Stones, 1963

Vicolith II, 1963

A Level Headed Man, 1965

Totem, 1972

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Artist of the Day, September 8, 2026 : Felix Pfäffli, a Swiss graphic artist, type designer, illustrator (#2626)

Felix Pfäffli (1986) is a prominent Swiss graphic designer, type designer, illustrator, and educator who has significantly influenced contemporary visual communication. Born in Lucerne, he developed an early passion for poster art, mentored by renowned designer Erich Brechbühl. While studying at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Pfäffli merged traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation, experimenting with generative design and animated posters ahead of industry trends. In 2009, he founded Studio Feixen, an independent design agency that handles diverse international commissions spanning brand identity, typography, spatial design, and digital animation.

Pfäffli’s professional excellence earned him historical recognition as the youngest-ever member inducted into the prestigious Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI). Parallel to his studio practice, he joined the faculty at the Fachklasse Grafik Luzern in 2010.

As an educator, he is celebrated for unconventional teaching methods that challenge traditional structures, encouraging students to bridge physical analog techniques with complex programming logic. He also co-created the Graphic Design Workflow, a globally adopted instructional publication mapping the creative process. Today, Pfäffli continues to lecture worldwide, organize international workshops, and lead Studio Feixen in defining modern, multi-disciplinary design standards.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Pfäffli or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only