Joe Hargan was born in Glasgow in 1952. He studied drawing and painting at the Glasgow School of Art from 1970-74 under Danny Ferguson, James Robertson and David Donaldson.
He has exhibited regularly his contemporary paintings since the early 1970's at:
Royal Glasgow Institute of Art
Royal Society of Watercolours
Royal Scottish Academy of Art
The Paisley Art Institute
Royal Academy, London
Dick Institute, Kilmarnock
British Watercolour Society
National Portrait Gallery
Joe is a founder member of Group 81 Artists who regularly exhibited at McLellan Galleries, Glasgow. In 1981 he was elected a member of the Glasgow Art Club and in 1985 he became a member of the Paisley Art Institute of which he became Chairman and President 1989 -2000.
The body of Joe Hargan paintings are remarkable for their diversity. But his paintings are immediately recognisable and follow the rich tradition of vibrant, bold colourist Scottish paintings. The renowned character 'Sniffy' has featured in many of his paintings which are now collected by art lovers worldwide. Over the years Hargan has been awarded a number of art prizes reflecting and rewarding the quality and breadth of his talent.
Awards
Contemporary Painting Prize, Glasgow School of Art, 1972
First Prize, national competition, Stirling Smith Art Gallery, 1978
Cargill Art Award, Royal Glasgow Institute 1982
Torrance Award, Royal Glasgow Institute 1984
Meyer Oppenheim Award, Royal Scottish Academy of Art, 1986
Hunting Art Group Prizewinner, Mall Galleries, 1988
The Paisley Art Institute Award, 1993
PAI Diploma Awarded by Paisley Art Institute, 1996
The Contemporary Fine Art award, The Paisley Art Institute, 2001
Maude Gemmell Hutchison Prize, Royal Scottish Academy of Art 2002
William Bowie Award, Paisley Art Institute 2002
The Richmond Hill Gallery Award, 2005
Collections
Joe’s work is in many private collections in Britain, France, Brazil and the USA and in the collections of:
Lord and Lady MacFarlane
Dr.G.M Addis
William Shellie Collection
Mrs Ford 2nd Collection
British Broadcasting Company
Flemings Bank Collection
Strathclyde Education Department
Paisley University
South of Scotland Electricity Board Bloomberg Collection
Sir David McNee
Costley Hotels
