Andrew Ireland was born and educated in Manchester, UK, undertook a Foundation Diploma in Fine Art at Salford Technical College and achieved a BA Honours Fine Art (1st Class) in Painting and Printmaking at Brighton Polytechnic. After extensive travel through Europe Andrew migrated to Australia in 1985.
In 1986-1997 Andrew worked as an illustrator for the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, The Times on Sunday and The Australian. He was awarded The Bulletin's Black & White Artists’ ‘Best Humorous Illustrator Award’ in 1990 and in 1991 he successfully exhibited a solo show of his paintings at the Rex Irwin Gallery in Sydney.
During 1991-92 Andrew travelled to live and work in Italy, where he exhibited solo at Gallerie E5, Verona and Southern Gallery, Rome. He returned to Australia and continued to work as a painter/freelance illustrator.
Andrew's depth of artist knowledge and creativity has been regularly drawn upon in academic art education: Sydney College of the Arts, the University of Newcastle, Sydney Graphics College, Billy Blue Design School, the University of Technology.
Andrew's works are much loved by private collectors and also held in the Art Bank Australia.