Mary Immaculate College was sad to learn of the passing of renowned Irish sculptor, Imogen Stuart, at the age of 96.
Imogen, one of Ireland’s leading sculptors, had a longstanding relationship with MIC dating back to the 1950s when the Sisters of Mercy commissioned three of her major works. This was to be the beginning of a lifetime friendship and collaboration between Imogen and MIC. Throughout the years, further works were commissioned and now MIC is proud and fortunate to have 14 of her pieces on campus.
It was a great honour and privilege for MIC to celebrate Imogen and the indelible impression she has left on the Irish cultural landscape by hosting ‘Imogen Stuart – In Her Hands’ in December 2022. The exhibition was officially opened by President of Ireland, President Michael D. Higgins, and was on display in Newman Hall, JHN throughout December 2022 and January 2023. The exhibition can still be explored virtually by clicking here.
At the launch, President Higgins praised her ability to “greatly enrich the lives of many, not only through her inspiring and challenging work, but by the way she communicates her committed vision of art as something that must be accessible, available and viewed as a tool of democracy, liberated from barriers of class and privilege”. This legacy will live on through her work.
In 2010, Imogen was presented with the McAuley Medal by then Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mary McAleese, in honour of her lifetime contribution to the arts in Ireland.
Imogen had a deep and abiding affection for MIC; she treasured the mutually beneficial relationship and greatly valued the honours that were bestowed upon her by the College.
