Tom McLean’s upcoming exhibition at 126 Artist-Run Gallery ‘Paradigm Shift’ is launching next Friday, September 6th, from 6-9pm! This is the artist’s first solo show in Galway, which has come as nice full-circle moment as Tom has been involved with 126 Gallery in various capacities as a visitor, director and studio artist since 2014.

The exhibition features new and recent mixed media works centered around “Paradigm Shift,” a project he developed further during an artist residency at the @tyroneguthriecentre during Feb-March of this year, thanks to an award from the Galway City Council.

Of the exhibition, Tom says;

“Over the past few years, my practice and life have ‘’shifted’’ significantly, especially since opening @outset_gallery in 2022 and that turning into a full time job, I was initially frustrated by the slower pace in the studio and not producing the same volume of work I used to, but I’ve come to see it as a positive change, leading to a fresh perspective and a better approach to art-making with a lot more inspiration and shared knowledge from collaborating with so many fantastic artists over the last few years in Outset.

For this project, I focused on enjoying the process and exploring new directions, resulting in a show filled with experiments and small works on paper I had fun creating. Returning to a consistent art-making routine hasn’t been easy, so I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to present my work in the 126, a space I have a lot of love for and encourages trying things out.

Big thanks to the 126 team @126gallery.studios for the invite & Conor Burke @consoc78 for producing the show.

Thanks also to @artsofficegalwaycity and @artscouncilireland for their support over the last few years as they have awarded funding in 2023 & recently in 2024 for this project.

See you there & if you can’t make it a share would be much appreciated”

Poster Design : @celiacreativa_