Homecoming for renowned photographer – Tom Wood.
Photographer Tom Wood was born in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo in 1951 and moved to England when he was four years old.
He returned frequently with his father, to visit his extended family in Crossmolina. Wood’s sensitive and close relationship with the place of his birth is never more evident than in his photography.
“Among the most thoughtful photographers working today, in any style.” – Richard B Woodward, The Wall Street Journal.
“His instinct is innocent, Blakean, impeccable. In his images we see ourselves… in a celebration.” – Bob Quinn, Irish Arts Review.
Wood studied Fine Art at Leicester Polytechnic in 1973, where extensive viewing of experimental films led him to photography, in which he is self-taught. He moved to New Brighton, Merseyside in 1978 and for the next 25 years photographed constantly in and around Liverpool, producing an enormous collection of work, renowned around the world.
“It was really lucky that I ended up in Merseyside where there were so many Irish… Just looking at the faces, there’s a certain shared cultural sensibility, in this body language. It probably helped me.”
In 2003, Wood moved to North Wales, where he continues to photograph the life and landscape around him.
Wood’s strong desire to exhibit in his birthplace has not been made available to him, until now. We are thrilled to be in a position to showcase his exhibition at the Cultural and Civic Centre in Crossmolina. It will be a ‘select snapshot’ of 50 years of his work, and includes some of his best known photographs, previously exhibited extensively around the world, alongside never-before seen video work.
“When I would visit Ireland during all these other projects, whatever I was learning at the time was influencing whatever I did in Ireland that year”.
Exhibition dates and opening times:
Friday 12th July – Sunday 25th August 2024,
10am – 4pm Friday – Monday.
Cultural and Civic Centre, Mullinmore Street, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo. F26 A0C7
