| O’Maoldomhnaigh, Tomás |
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Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh, is a professional portrait and landscape artist. His works can be found all over Ireland and he is represented on the walls of many of Ireland's top companies. His paintings have been sold to the United States, Europe, Africa and Australia. He now lives and works as a full time artist and illustrator in County Clare. Artist's Statement: "As an artist, I'm enthralled to put brush to canvas, it is at once both public and private. The world I reveal is an expression of my passion for both Classic European portraiture and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. I'm in awe of artists such as Sargent, Alma Tadema and the American Tony Ryder. I find the classic styles to be timeless, with a warmth and honesty not offered any more with modern movements. Two things have always interested me: the human face and figure, their connection to and reflection of life. I am a figurative painter; I'm firmly committed to realism. The dilemma for me at the dawn of the 21st century: is how as an artist striving to be relevant in today's world, does one express issues as old as the human race, with a centuries old technique and style, in a manner and context appropriate and engaging to a contemporary audience? My response to that dilemma is my strong conviction that although the world around us has changed and thus our reactions to it, we human beings are essentially the same, with the same basic needs and wants. I have always found that attempting to capture a likeness in a figure drawing over a long period of time was a crucial artistic endeavor. It refines one’s skill in the direct observation of the subject matter, and this process also increases the concentration of the artist, sometimes into a trance-like state. Painting the figure is an affirmative act of the utmost reverence, relevance, and devotion. The figure has been absolutely central to my work in imagery and narrative. My subject matter changes as that of any other artist, but the figure is an important and recurring element of my work. Growing up I was exposed to a great variety of art forms in a city that places a great value on its culture and arts. There I was influenced by groups of artists and educators who are dedicated to preserve ancient cultural traditions and artistic heritage. But you can also find other groups who are learning and adopting the ideas and methodology of new avant-garde artistic trends from the evolving global artistic community. As a visual artist, I am excited to live in these times of progressive art innovations, global artistic exchanges and technological advances. The possibilities to express oneself as an artist today are indeed overwhelmingly infinite. The potential to establish significant connections in the world community comes hand and hand with our new global village and is exciting and unprecedented. What a great time to be an artist and a storyteller." Tomás has held 20 solo exhibitions around Ireland as well as been involved in numerous group exhibitions. Exhibitions: 2014 August Exhibited in the Birr Arts Festival 2013 ‘Discover Limerick’ book co author and illustrator. Selected to exhibit in the Bristol art 2013 2012 Sept., Solo Exhibition Ivy Gallery, Tralee, Co Kerry. August, RDS Horse Show Dublin April Solo exhibition Friars Gate Art Centre, Kilmallock Co Limerick Solo Feb Exhibition, Mountmellick Library, Laois 2011 Nov Joint Exhibition with Margaret Ray, Masonic Hall, Limerick Solo Oct Exhibition, Meubles Café , Kilkenny 2010 June, Joint Exhibition with Fran McCann, Kenny’s Gallery Lahinch. May, Solo Exhibition Huguenot Gallery, Portarlington. Co Laois April, Solo Exhibition, St Johns Art Centre Listowel, Co Kerry 2009 Dec, Solo Exhibition Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare June, Solo Exhibition, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Limerick 2007 Dec., Joint exhibition with Mgt Ray Watchhouse Cross Limerick Nov Solo Exhibition, DeValera Gallery Ennis Co Clare Oct solo exhibition, Clarinbridge arts Festival selected to attend Cill Rialaig Project artist’s residency, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry June Solo Exhibition, Talbot Gallery Restaurant, Talbot St Dublin 2006 September solo exhibition St Johns Arts Centre, Listowel, Kerry July Solo exhibition Coastguard Station, Tramore April Solo exhibition Mullingar arts centre Westmeath January Solo exhibition Custom House Gallery Westport, Mayo 2005 September Solo exhibition Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin Portrait Ireland 2005 2004 November Solo exhibition Excel Arts Centre, Tipperary 2003 ‘The Book of Clare’ illustrated by Tomás (40 watercolours of Co.Clare) |