Micky Donnelly was born in Belfast in 1952. Educated in Belfast at the University of Ulster (1976–1981), the artist systematically sought to explore, revive and cherish a sense of cultural memory. This manifested early on in his practice through his borrowing of Celtic motifs and his reference to tartans. But Donnelly’s memory is universal and all-encompassing, travelling far east to Japan and its garden and ink techniques, before coming back to Europe’s early modernist art like Monet.

A scholarship awarded by the Arts Council for the British School at Rome saw him travel to Italy. This trip allowed him to expand his appreciation and knowledge of European art, welcoming Italian Renaissance art as a lasting influence on his practice.

During the period immediately following his graduation, he became heavily involved with the Artists Collective and Queen Street Studios. Inspired by the experiences and networks formed, Donnelly founded his own collaborative effort in the form of Circa magazine, a publication dedicated to contemporary art for which he wrote regularly. The 1990s were marked by the influence of burgeoning street art and graffiti (see his Belfast series). Later, Rorschach-like inkblots would serve as the central theme of the Reflex series.

As a general rule, Donnelly’s art should be interpreted as a reframing of cultural possibilities, hence the regular inclusion of art historical references throughout his practice. In addition to purposeful disruption, chance and hazard are also tools the artist uses to keep his practice fresh. The resulting surprise generates awareness and therefore possesses a perceptive efficiency.

In 2001, Donnelly seamlessly transitioned from artist to writer, publishing his first novel. He was in the process of writing his second book when he suddenly passed away aged 66 in 2019.