Peter Crann

I am an Irish artist and musician, based in Sligo, and I have been working as a professional creative since 1993. My practice spans painting, illustration, live performance, and traditional music, and has taken me from large-scale commissions in Spain to more recent multidisciplinary projects rooted in Irish cultural storytelling.

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In the early part of my career, I lived and worked in the south of Spain, where I created hundreds of contemporary artworks for churches across the region. Many of these works are still on permanent display in churches in Jaén and Seville. During this time, I also began developing live art performances, painting in real time on stage in collaboration with musicians, both in Spain and later in Ireland.

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Alongside this work, I have exhibited as a visual artist, with solo exhibitions in venues such as The Model Arts Centre in Sligo and Project Arts Centre in Dublin. My work has consistently explored the relationship between image, rhythm, and narrative.

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In recent years, my focus has moved towards the Crankie Island project, where I combine illustration and traditional Irish song. Using a hand-cranked scroll format, I create visual narratives that accompany performances, offering a contemporary way of presenting and preserving Ireland’s rich song tradition.

As a musician, I am the founder of the folk band The Craic Addicts, for which I write and arrange music. The band has performed internationally, including in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland, developing a distinctive and energetic approach to traditional and original material.

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My work continues to explore the space between visual art and music, creating immersive experiences that connect audiences with story, place, and tradition.