THE TOIL BETWEEN MAN AND STONE

"All living things must change. I am part of the natural world and this must change."

Fred Conlon was born in Killeenduff, Easkey, Co Sligo. He attended the local National School and the Vocational School in Easkey.

He was awarded a five year scholarship to the National College of Art and Design, awarded by Co Sligo V.E.C. Self taught in the Arts to this stage, Fred commenced his formal studies in the Art to the age of 17 at the National College of Art in 1960.

Initially he studied Painting, Sculpture, Drawing and a range of crafts but he increasingly came under the influence of Domhnail O'Murchadha, assistant Professor of Sculpture who encouraged him to specialise and to do a Sculpture Diploma.

Fred did six years study here where he obtained the Department of Education's Art Teachers Certificate and became an Associate of the National College of Art in Sculpture. He returned to the National College of Art later where he taught in Sculpture from 1969 to 1972.

He longed to revive his links with the West of Ireland and returned to Sligo in 1972. He taught for one year in the Vocational School there. He was appointed as a Lecturer in the Regional College the following year and was instrumental in developing a diploma in Art for the College.

He lectured in sculpture and drawing there until 1989 when he took early retirement to devote all his time to being a professional sculptor. His contribution to visual education was instrumental in helping others on their pathway to achieving their potential as teachers and artists.

He has exhibited with most of the major annual Group Exhibitions including Independent Artists, Oireachtas, the Royal Hibernian Academy and Sculpture in Context.

Fred died in 2005 from a brain tumour called Gliablastoma. His legacy lives on.