THOMAS DUFFY - Artist Musician Educator
BIOGRAPHY
Thomas Duffy is a Kilkenny based artist musician educator. With a history working in traditional materials of stone and cast metals as well as photography, paper and found materials, his strong draftsmanship is at the core of his visual explorations. He Received a B.A (Hons) in Fine Art, Sculpture from N.C.A.D in 1996. He has studied, researched and performed Afro Brazilian Culture & Music internationally for over 25 years and this curiosity is present throughout his practice. He trained in Stone Sculpture & Bronze Casting at Leitrim Sculpture Centre from 2000 to 2002.
Independent arts facilitation, project creation and development and performance are an integral part of Thomas’s practice. He holds a position on the Board of Bui Bolg - Street Theatre, Musical Directorship of Longford & Carlow Samba performance Groups and is the Founder & Musical Director of Maracatu Ilha Brilhante National Afro-Brazilian Cultural Ensemble. He has initiated many Community Music groups nationally, developed and delivered aspects of Community Arts FETAC (QQI) training for Wexford VEC (WWETB). He teaches art with KilkennyCarlowETB.
Thomas has engaged in a number of high profile facilitated arts projects. including 'A Fallen Bouquet' public commemorative sculpture near O'Connell Street in Dublin and ‘Iora Nua’ Large scale public sculpture project in County Longford, Ireland. He was recognised in 2014 with a national award by Alliance Business2Arts for ‘Best Staff Engagement’ for his facilitation in the production of ‘Bridges’ a multimedia mural for his clients. He has been the fortunate to be in reciept of a number of bursaries and resiencies to assist the growth of his practice.
Member of ANCAD, Visual Artists Ireland & The Teaching Council of Ireland.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Guided by a holistic framework of integrated ecosocial values to address today’s challenges, Thomas has over 25 years experience in facilitating inclusive community- building through creative-led multidisciplinary practice. A popular, sensitive and dedicated facilitator, he directs and skilfully coordinates participatory placemaking arts programs for local, national and international communities.
The core of Thomas practice is one a constant curiosity about the interconnectivity between all things: tangible, intangible and communal. Overcoming erroneous historic ideas thatdivide nature and culture, that alienate us and diminish wellbeing for ourselves and the planet, Thomas expresses these concerns through various creative expression: drawing, sculpture, music and the creativity that arises from collective participatory group work.
There is no separation between Thomas’ passion for Afro Brazilian ceremonial music–its social and artistic structures– and his own visual practice that seeks to question the interbeingness of objects, living and non-living. He relishes creative freedom to notice the tensions, interdependency and joy across the community of life. Furthermore, the skills and experience gained through diverse creative activities directly nourishes the wide range of creative engagement he can draw on for his practice and his community work.
Through Thomas’ deep listening, inclusive mutuality and diverse creative expression,through communal music-making, art and creative activism, Tom helps communities’understand that recognising the sacredness of life, in turn, fosters enduring wellbeing for Earth and all is inhabitants.
FACILITATED WORKS & SOCIAL PRACTICE
Currently/ Ongoing - 2023
Cultural & Music Director Maracatu Ilha Brilhante - AfroBrazilian National Percussion Ensemble & Cultural group
Artist Educator Panelist- Butler Gallery, Kilkenny
Member of Breaking Cover Collective Eco Social performance Collective, National, Ireland
Lead Artist - ‘Iora Nua’ Large scale sculptural project, Longford, Ireland with Mide Street Arts
Percussion Tutor - Donegal Summer School of Music, Letterkenny, Ireland
Brazilian Street Arts Facilitator with RhythmriotMusic
Percussion Tutor for Music Generation Kilkenny
Art Tutor for Kilkenny Carlow ETB
Previous:
2023 ‘YouthEcologyArt - Summer Residency’ Facilitator/Administrator (Maternity Cover) Butler Gallery, Kilkenny
2023 BLAST Artist in Residence (Multidisciplinary) Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny
2023 BLAST Artist in Residence (Visual,Ecological) Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Kilkenny
2022 ‘Feet of Clay’ Solo Performance as part of ‘Earth Rising’ 2022 Eco Fectival- IMMA , Dublin
22/23 BLAST Artist in Residence (Multidisciplinary) Mother of Fair Love Special School, Kilkenny
2022 ‘Imaginariums’ Social Practice/Performances with Breaking Cover Collective - Earth Rising Fest IMMA , Dublin
2022 ‘Kind words will never die’ (Artist participant)- Navine S Dossos, IMMA, Dublin
2022 BLAST Artist in Residence (Visual/musical) St Laserians Special School, Carlow.
22/23 BLAST Artist in Residence (Visual) C.B.S Boys School Carlow
2021 - Breaking Cover Collective - Group performance - IMMA, Dublin
2021 - T.A.P - Artist in Residence’ with Conahy NS, Kilkenny , Ireland
2020/2021- Longford Squirrels Public Art Project - Public Sculptural Project in development. Co. Longford, Ireland
2021/2022 - Maracatu - Healing & Life - Music and Street pageant project Ireland & Uk2021:
2021- Rithim Glasa - Collaborative Recording Project with Music Generation Kilkenny with Mark Colbert & J Hickey
2020 - Artist MasterClasses - Collaborative masterclasses with singer Emilie Conway
2019 - ‘A Fallen Bouquet’ (Revisited) - Maintainence . Dublin,. Ireland
2019 - Artist in Residence - Johnstown Natiuonal School, Co.Kilkenny ‘ Blurry lines of creation’
2017/18 - Artist Facilitator: ‘Siamsa Childrens Project’ - Kilkenny Arts Office, Kilkenny Ireland
2014 - ‘Bridges’ (with Kieran Gallagher) - Facilitated visual installation . Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland
2014 -‘Maracatu Encontro Limerick’ - Afro Brazilian Cultural meeting - 280 Percussionists & Dancers (Artistic Director)
2007 - 2012 ‘Wexford Samba Drumming’ In Association with Wexford VEC - Social cohesion & Group creation
2010 - Programmer & Facilitator – VEC Men’s Community Arts Course Wexford
2004 - ‘A Fallen Bouquet’ - Commemorative Memorial Sculpture Sackville Place, Dublin City Centre.
SELECTED VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS
Solo
2021 - ‘An Intentional Sound’ – Durational Performance, IMMA Dublin
2018 - Afinado-Kilkenny Arts Office -Co. Kilkenny
2003 - New Works-Appleloft Gallery- Co. Sligo
2003 - See, Hear, Touch-Dunamaise Art Centre- Co. Laois
1998 - Signage-Mbabaat Enviro. Education Centre-South Africa
1996 - Graduation Show- NCAD, Thomas St.-Dublin
1995 - Work in Progress-The AKI Institute, Enschede - Holland
Group
2004 - Summer Show-Waterfront Gallery, Rosses Point-Sligo
2004 - Groups Work!-Appleloft Gallery, Easkey -Sligo
2002 - 20/20 Art Auction-Temple Bar Gallery & Studios -Dublin
2002 -Annual Exhibition-The Bee Centre, Manorhamilton-Leitrim
2002 - Annual Exhibition-The Bee Centre, Manorhamilton-Leitrim
2001 - A Sense of Place-Leitrim County Office Foyer Gallery-Leitrim
Galerie Centre Cultural, Cesson Sevigne- France
2000 - Arts Festival Expo-Mayflower Centre, Drumshambo-Leitrim
1999 - In Context-Coda 999-Dublin Castle-Dublin
1997 - The Library Exhibitions-Dublin Corporation Travelling Exhibition-Dublin
1997- Convergence-Irish Life Exhibition Centre-Dublin
1995 - 249- Ormond Gallery-Dublin
1993- Senior Show-Irish Life Exhibition Centre- Dublin
RESIDENCIES & AWARDS
2022 - BLAST - Artist in Residence - St.Laserian Special School Carlow
2022 - BLAST - Artist in Residence, CBS Secondary School Carlow
2021 - T.A.P - Artist in Residence ‘The Universe is a Story’ Conahy N.S Kilkenny
20/21 - Arts and Disability Residency with Musician Emilie Conway National -
2019 - T.A.P. - Artist in Residence (Visual/Percussive) St. Kieran’s NS, Johnstown Kilkenny
1999 - Artist in Residence at Cill Rialaig Artist’s Retreat Kerry
1998 - Artist in Residence at Mbabaat Enviro. Education Centre South Africa
2022 - Music Capital Scheme - Music Network/ Arts Council of Ireland (with Maracatu ilha Brilhante)
2019 - Facilitation Award – Kilkenny Co.Co Arts Office Kilkenny
2018 -Arts Act Award – Kilkenny Co.Co Arts Office Kilkenny
2014 - Business to Arts Awards: ‘Best Creative Staff engagement’ National
2014 - Tourism Ireland – Accommodation Award – (Maracatu Encontro) National
2008 - Facilitators Award Kilkenny Co.Co Arts Office Kilkenny
2006 - Arts Act Award – Kilkenny Co.Co Arts Office Kilkenny
1995 - Erasmus Bursary for Artist exchange Holland
WORKS HELD IN PUBLIC COLLECTION
‘Mr Nuts’ Modular Public Sculpture, Streetscape, Newtownforbes Longford
‘A Fallen Bouquet’. Memorial Sculpture. Streetscape (Sackville Place) Dublin
’…Still Life? ‘Photographic Series. Permanent Display CIE, Dublin Bus Offices Earl Lane Dublin