our story
keith drury
Where it all started ..
Keith cannot remember a time when he did not draw or make 'stuff'. His introduction into the more serious art world began when the owner of a prestigious Belfast gallery took him under his wing lending him works of international artists to take home and copy. On return, the gallery owner would assess Keith's style and then test him with something completely different. Now, after years of trying new styles and mediums, Keith has developed his own unique style which presents a vibrant and contemporary interpretation of the urban landscape. Months of exacting work go into each picture often yielding surprises to the eagle-eyed, or to those who use magnifying glasses! Each print is a top-quality Giclée print on acid-free paper; each one is printed at the studio itself and is not outsourced.
Over the years, Keith’s ‘When I Dream’ art series has become one of the top-selling range of artworks for many of the UK’s largest city galleries. Commercially his work has found its way into every world continent, appeared in advertising campaigns, jigsaws and luxury chocolate tins. Although used by the rich and famous, the artworks are created simply to be enjoyed and to be a talking point on anyone's wall. Perhaps we could summarise his own view of his work by amending Oscar Wilde’s famous expression, ‘Art is too important to be taken seriously!’ Despite being approached by a number of the UK's largest art publishers, he has resolved to remain completely independent, although he has partnered with several art publishers where his independence has not been compromised.
Click here to read more Keith or just ask Alexa! (PS. Make sure you say ‘Keith Drury artist')
The Studio and gallery
The Keith Drury Art Gallery is located on the ever popular Belmont Road in East Belfast.
The gallery showcases the full range of artworks and all of these can be purchased in store or online.
The Significant
By royal appointment
Keith Drury Art was honoured to have had the opportunity to present Keith’s London Way artwork to HRH Princess Anne in London. The presentation was made personally in a private meeting at Buckingham Palace with Dr Kennedy Hongo, a high-ranking Kenyan government official, who has worked on humanitarian projects supported by HRH as part of her charitable efforts in Africa. The Princess Royal was excited and intrigued by the London scene and afterwards Keith received a personal letter from her Private Secretary, Captain Nick Wright, sending HRH’s gratitude and best wishes for the future. Personally we suspect she may only have liked it because her mum's house was featured in the artwork.
Pele Portrait
Keith was commissioned to paint a portrait of Pele, the world-renowned Brazilian footballer. Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Keith, along with his wife Deborah, personally presented the finished painting to Pele at an event he was hosting in Dublin, Ireland.
Public Art Commission
Keith won an international competition in 2010 to produce a public commission artwork for Belfast City Council. The completed work is a collection of portraits (mixed media on canvas) interpreting the Irish history and heritage of Belfast. The piece’s Irish title is: ‘Ar scath a cheile a mhaireas na daoine’ which translates as ‘It is in the shelter of each other that people live’. This mixed media artwork is on permanent public display as part of the city's art collection at Belfast City Hall.
A Titanic Story
A few years ago, Keith travelled to Southampton to meet 97 year old Millvina Dean, the youngest passenger and last remaining survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. He was the last person to officially interview her as she sadly died a few days later.