Michael Biggs (26 August 1928 – 1993) was an Irish sculptor,[1] stone carver and letterist of English extraction.[2][3][4]
Michael Biggs | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 August 1928 |
| Died | 1993 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | British/Irish |
| Known for | Letter cutting, stone carving |
| Spouse |
Frances Dooly (m. 1953) |
| Children | 5 |
Early life edit
Biggs was born in Stockport in 1928.[5] He was educated at St Columba's College, Dublin and attended Trinity College Dublin in 1946–49, but did not graduate.[6]
Career edit
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Biggs learned with Joseph Cribb in 1948–1951.[7][5] He attended an artist's community in Ditchling, Sussex, founded by Eric Gill, and Biggs became well known as a carver, letterist and engraver. He also studied under Elizabeth Rivers.[8]
A notable work of his was the Gaelic type used by Dolmen Press.[9] He also designed the lettering for the Series B Banknotes of the Irish pound.[10]
He was elected to the elite artistic institution Aosdána in 1989.[11]
Personal life edit
Biggs was married to Frances Dooly, a violinist, artist, and designer of stained-glass and tapestries; they had five children.[6] He converted to Roman Catholicism late in life and was buried at St. Patrick's Church, Enniskerry.[10]
References edit
- ^ Frazer, Harriet; Oestreicher, Christine (29 June 1998). The Art of Remembering. Carcanet. ISBN 9781857543773 – via Google Books.
- ^ Perkins, Tom (21 December 2013). Art of Letter Carving in Stone. Crowood. ISBN 9781847977243 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Biggs, Michael 1928-1993 [WorldCat Identities]".
- ^ "LOT:17 | Michael Biggs, (1928-1993) Kitchen Chair Woodblock print, 54 x 36cm Signed and numbered 12/99 Note: Michael Biggs lived in Dublin from 1930, and is best known for his inscriptions in stone, bronze and wood throughout Ireland. His works include the Moyne Commemorative Table, TCD: Proclamation of the Republic and grave inscriptions at Arbour Hill (1959-63) and the mural inscription at Parnell Square (1976). He is also known for his book illustrations and embellishments of which the present work is probably an example". www.adams.ie.
- ^ a b "Michael Biggs - Arbour Hill Memorial | Public art directory | Public Art". Publicart.ie. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Biggs, Michael | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie.
- ^ "Musician in glass". The Irish Times.
- ^ Harmon, Maurice (29 June 2001). The Dolmen Press: A Celebration. Lilliput Press. ISBN 9781901866759 – via Google Books.
- ^ Reynolds, Paige (22 September 2016). Modernist Afterlives in Irish Literature and Culture. Anthem Press. ISBN 9781783085743 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b RoadWinston-Salem, ZSR Library1834 Wake Forest (9 May 2016). "Michael Biggs, Lettering Artist on Paper and Stone". ZSR Library.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Aosdána". aosdana.artscouncil.ie.