In the last few years, the previously unknown JP Rooney has so captivated the hearts of art collectors in his native Ireland that he has become one of the country's best selling artists. Rooney's work was first launched in November 1997 with a sell-out show. Since then his work has been sold to collectors all over the world. Rooney's work has grown in confidence over the last few years. It is looser, bolder, more directly narrative and has greater dramatic content than its more abstract predecessors. It has become more detailed, as his figures move increasingly into the foreground. His palette is more adventurous, his brush strokes more authoritative and his compositions more assured. His themes are universal. He depicts human relationships, located within their physical and social environments. Collectors have queued to buy his work and gallery owners have formed waiting lists to host exhibitions. Publishing houses have made repeated offers to issue his work in a variety of formats.