Tom Fitzgerald: Spirit Music
A Celebration of a Life’s Work
Spirit Music, the title of Tom Fitzgerald’s exhibition at LCGA is an invitation to look at his work in different ways: quiet / resonant; internal / external; corporeal / ethereal all of which are embodied in this exhibition, Spirit Music, a celebration of Fitzgerald’s long career and contribution to the visual arts locally and nationally. Although Fitzgerald’s work has been exhibited internationally, his life, education and practice has been in Limerick city and county. His quiet confidence in a unique personal language and his ease in his own place has been a constant source of inspiration.
Formal Opening Saturday 9 April to launch the publication which accompanies Spirit Music, with essays by Gerry Dukes, Niamh Nic Ghabhann and Sean O’Laoire. Marian Fitzgibbon will launch the publication between 2 and 4pm.
This exhibition includes works from the early 1980s right up to the present. Fitzgerald’s early work is predominantly sculptural using limestone and other materials including slate, wood and glass. These works frequently engage with the myths and legends of the past to more personal works such as his father’s tools (on loan from Limerick City and County Council).
Included also are drawings from his exhibition, The Ministry of Dust (2004) and The Celtic Zoo (2014) include works in pencil, watercolour and beeswax. The almost dream-like quality of the images, combined with the humour of the titles don’t tone down the caustic perspective taken by Fitzgerald on greed and corruption and their impacts on the environment. In this exhibition, the assemblage series reflect his adaptability and range while his recent foray into painting results in a body of work where the bold and vibrant palette demonstrates Fitzgerald’s constant interrogation of his practice.
Spirit Music is a celebration of this artist’s body of work over forty years and provides us with an opportunity to see the development of his work over this period. It also takes us on a journey at times mythical and whimsical and others caustic and satirical ensuring that the “past is not a foreign country”.
The catalogue to accompany this exhibition to be published in mid-April 2022 contains essays by Sean Ó Laoire, Gerry Dukes and Niamh Nic Ghabhann who all present a close pen-portrait of this “pure artist” and his significant and ongoing contribution to the visual arts in the Mid-West and Ireland. We are proud to host this exhibition at LCGA and to call Tom Fitzgerald “one of our own”.
*The Celtic Zoo publication with Theo Dorgan by Occasional Press 2014 accompanies the Celtic Zoon drawings is a limited edition publication available to purchase any queries please ask the gallery staff or email artgallery@limerick.ie