… A ‘Coming Home’ Approach

July 2023

The slow integration and interplay of life’s facets allow for such scope to play. Over the last year or two with the assistance of the amazing folks of ‘Breaking Cover Collective’ and many others I have begun to view my practice in a more rounded manner. There is no separation from myself as percussionist, as maker, as performer, as carer, as student, as teacher. Each supports the other.

It’s more than ok to slow down and take a moment…and then another. The chase is in the agitation of one’s own mind. Its all already in place.
This site is growing in its breadth to encapsulate my full practice, and so will undergo a bit of a face lift over the next while to best suit a more ‘coming home’ approach.

…REFRAMING ONES PRACTICE

May 2021

Having met with Ecological Artist Cathy Fitzgerald ph.d through numerous events over the years here in Kilkenny it was fair to say that I was generally aware of her environmental credentials and to a lesser extent her artistic practice.

Once Cathy launched haumea.ie I was instantly drawn to the prospect of training with her and the organisation. I have always sought new learning, driven, like many artists by curiosity, insecurity and imposter syndrome.

To say that working with Cathy and philosopher Nikos Patedakis ph.d Wisdomloveandbeauty.org has been a revelation would not be a lie or an exaggeration.

I began with Haumea’s philosophy course: ‘Creativity as an act of Love’, continued with ‘Essential Ecoliteracy ‘ and at time of writing am just about to begin ‘Embracing Ecosocial values thropugh the Earth Charter’.

With these courses I have finally discovered a network of beings who are driven by curiosity, growth, love, generosity, compassion, humour and many other attributes I aim for.

From having doubts about the selection of activities I engage in as a creative and to survive I have realised that the ‘many things’ are, in fact, the full scope of my practice. Not just visual artist, not just musician, not just teacher, not just environmental worrier…All of these and much, much more.

To this end, this website and professional practice (as a true reflection of my being) are moving through a stage of becoming more itself. Accepting its place in the broader ecology of existence. Over the next while many aspects of my practice are being drawn to one place in all of its messy, incoherant, exciting guises…

just wait and see!

…A SQUIRREL ON THE MOVE

Jul 20th 2020

So, I am not the most prolific of writers!
The current state of play is an interesting one. Whilst I am not really engaged in many of the projects that would keep me busy through the summer one long finished phase of work gets its inspection this week.
What has become known as ‘Mr.Nuts’; a seven foot high styrofoam squirrel that is to act as a form for a series of cast resin compatriates has gotten puuled out from his tarpaulin tent home for a quick spruce and final stage inspection.

The Squirrel is destined for an ambitious public Sculptural project based in Longford.
The Longford Squirrels are sort of ‘Cows on Parade’ meets local Community inspiration.

Driven by Community activist: Shane Crosson and Longford Arts officer: Fergus Kennedy. The squirrels will hopefully multiply over time as artists engage with designated communities around County Longford to create vibrant temporary artworks that resonate with local concerns and an artistic touch.

To date, I have been the sculptor engaged to create a maquette and proof of concept for the large scale mouldmaking required for the project. Next Thursday sees the handover of phase 2 (Full size model) to the commissioners for inspection and discussion of how phase 3 may look. Bring it on!!!

…A SCULPTURE RETURNS HOME

Nov 27th 2019

I know that a blog/news page should be more active, but in all honesty, there was too much fun to be had.
I think that this will unravel over the next few weeks…. So, first things first.

Last Tuesday, the 19th November saw ‘A Fallen Bouquet’ return to it’s home on Sackville Place, between O’Connell Street and Malboro Street in Dublin City Centre. This very personal project has brought me back to bronze and stone, problem solving and accurate pricing!

Another important aspect of this project beyond the immediate familial connections (It memorialises the death of 3 busmen in Dublin bombings in ‘72 & ‘73. George Brradsha, Tommy Douglas and my dad Tommy Duffy.) was the reconnection with two of the guiding influences in my artistic life, namely Jackie McKenna and Dave Kinane. They have always been such generous teachers in their knowlege spirit and resources.

Although artistic production happens often in isolation, the act and result of it illuminates the threads that connect us. Whether it is through the quest for knowlege, the inspiration found in our peers and teachers or the stories that share in the result.

During the installation of ‘A Fallen Bouquet’ numerous members of the public approached me to share their experiences around the bombings that the sculpture marks and their joy of seeing it’s return to it’s ‘rightful’ place despite the ever changing face of the city.

…EXCITING TIMES

February 2019

Today sees great news. By the grace of Kilkenny County Council Arts Office I have been awarded Funding to help me with my own professional development. The ‘Arts Act Grant’ fund assists me in acquiring one to one masterclass sessions with a tutor in Afro-Brazilian Ceremonial Music. This has been a rich vein of exploration and curiosity for my visual practice for over 20 years and the curiorisity is only deepening.
Many thanks to the Arts Office, Mary Butler (Kilkenny Arts Officer) and the selection committee.

In other news the residency with St. Kierans National School, Johnstown is growing and developing nicely and has proven to be agenuine learning experience for my own practice in allowing free flowing ideas and natural evolution of work. More information to follow…

…NEW PROJECTS AND OLD FRIENDS

November 2018

This month sees the beginning of a New Artistic residency with St. Kierans National School in Johnstown, County Kilkenny. This project is part of the ‘Teacher Artistic Residency Program’ , run in Kilkenny by The Kilkenny Education Centre.
This engagement will be 20 hours of discovery, making and playing with materials and music… This is a curious road where there is bound to be lots of fun and learning on every side!

Regarding ‘Old friends’; I am thrilled that an older bronze piece that, to date, I was reluctant to let go of; ‘Percussive Sculpture i’ will be winging it’s way to a new home. I am rarely emotionally attached to particular pieces as the joy for me is in the making, not the keeping. This time ,however, I have lived with it for a while and have become quite attached!

2019 is also shaping up nicely with further commission work that has been on a back burner is due to be cranked up to boil early in the new year…More news soon!

Tom

...AND WE ARE LIVE...

Aug 2018

Welcome to the new Thomas Duffy Art website. Whilst we are doing a wee bit of tweaking please feel free to explore and say hello!

The hope is to keep the site dynamic and changing. More new and archive works will be posted in the short term to give a broader picture of my practice. Thanks for visiting. Tom.

AFINADO

May 2018

A solo exhibition of exclusively drawings.  Hosted by Kilkenny County Council Arts Office 28th May - 15th June, 2018