Paddy Critchley

Paddy Critchley (b.1998) is a visual artist from Laois, Ireland. Graduating in 2021 from Fine Art Painting in the Limerick School of Art & Design, two key concerns of Paddy’s practice are the transience of time and temporality. He also has a keen interest in theatre, and the theatrical staging of objects. He takes these elements and transfers them into the studio, to tie the links between life being a stage, and the protagonists that the stage contains. Working with mostly painting, while incorporating photography, film, and literature, Paddy uses paint to vocalise his thoughts on these issues. Paddy has exhibited frequently over the past number of years. His work is featured in the Hunt Museum’s permanent collection in Limerick. He has recently held a show behind closed doors (due to covid-19) on the theatre stage in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Laois titled ‘Waiting’.

Recent work has included references to Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, a huge inspiration for the artist. Recent paintings and sculptures have focused on still life and have references to other botanical studies.

The flower is a metaphor for the passing of time. Leaves sprout from trees and flowers bloom. Rainfall comes and soaks their roots just in time for the sun to shine. They cherish this blooming. They grow so tall and gleam into the night. Just as quick as they grow, the sun begins to fade. 

The leaves turn from green to orange, and some to red, others to yellow. The rest begin their march to death. Until they sprout again draw from its beauty to highlight its importance.