AN exhibition by Limerick artist Tom Prendergast opens at Ormston House this Friday July 14. (7pm).
An active member of the local arts community, Tom has exhibited extensively in Limerick. He is a DJ, known for his nights of dancing and his trademark handmade invitations. Tom hosts a weekly show called “The Last Bus Home” on Limerick Community Radio, where he shares his passion for music with listeners. Furthermore, he has played a pivotal role in promoting bands, founding New Jersey record label Bar None Records (They Might Be Giants, Yo La Tengo) in 1986, curating exhibitions, leading writing classes, and engaging with young people in St. Marys Park.
On returning from the US in the early 2000s, Tom applied to study at Limerick School of Art and Design. Though he didn’t have an interest in drawing or painting growing up, his eye was drawn to a painting of Sean O’Casey on the cover of a poetry book while travelling to work, making kitchen cabinets in Kilkee.
“I was looking at the image on the front and I was like how did they do that? And I just decided I’m going to try and find out how they do that. So I applied to go to college. And I got in. I think I mostly got into college on a good story. They were like, this guy is going on 50 years of age. He’s had a lot of life experience. He’s led an interesting life up to now.”
“I loved it [art college]. I found another side of myself that I didn’t know existed.”
Since then Tom makes art every day, beginning with paper cutouts and in recent years finishing a portrait and a still life painting every day. “I haven’t missed a day in four and a half years.”
The exhibition features Tom’s painting work – portraits and still lifes.
There are works on paper, cut-outs, collages, and invitations to dances. Taken from his home, there are objects, trinkets, and other ephemera, along with the artwork of others from his collection, that he has selected to exhibit alongside his own.
“I’m also showing some other people’s work. People that would have sort of inspired me are people who I really admire. I think of it in terms of like a band and support acts, Painters usually have a whole frickin gallery to themselves and I think, it’s an awful shame that they don’t bring somebody else in, you know, that can hang a few things.”
“That’s, kind of, a community thing, in my head.”
Curated by Caimin Walsh, the exhibition titled ‘Not Me, Us.’ serves as a celebration of Tom’s artistic journey and his connection to others in his life and work, spanning over two decades. Tom tells Limerick Post that the title means, “it’s not about the individual, it’s more about the community.”
Through his artwork, viewers will gain insights into his daily rituals and his relationships, be it with his wife Katie, the artists he admires, or the vibrant city of Limerick and its inhabitants.
For those interested in a deeper exploration of the exhibition, two guided tours will be conducted by Tom and Caimin Walsh on July 22 and August 5 at 1pm. Moreover, on August 12, from 8 to 10pm, there will be a dance event. Admission to the exhibition is free, and all are welcome to experience the world of Tom Prendergast’s art.
For Tom’s DJ sets, check him out at Galway Arts Festival on July 21 and at The Record Room on Saturday July 22.
