Michael Biggs

Michael Biggs (26 August 1928 – 1993) was an Irish sculptor,[1] stone carver and letterist of English extraction.[2][3][4]

For the Brazilian singer, see Michael Biggs (singer).

Michael Biggs
Born26 August 1928 (1928-08-26)
Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Died1993 (1994) (aged 65)
NationalityBritish/Irish
Known forLetter cutting, stone carving
Spouse
Frances Dooly
​
(m. 1953)​
Children5

Early life

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
Main altar of St Macartan's Cathedral, Monaghan, sculpted by Michael Biggs
Entire text of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, carved on the Arbour Hill memorial by Biggs

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

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
  1. Frazer, Harriet; Oestreicher, Christine (29 June 1998). The Art of Remembering. Carcanet. ISBN 9781857543773 – via Google Books.
  2. Perkins, Tom (21 December 2013). Art of Letter Carving in Stone. Crowood. ISBN 9781847977243 – via Google Books.
  3. "Biggs, Michael 1928-1993 [WorldCat Identities]".
  4. "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.
  5. "Michael Biggs - Arbour Hill Memorial | Public art directory | Public Art". Publicart.ie. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  6. "Biggs, Michael | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie.
  7. "Musician in glass". The Irish Times.
  8. Harmon, Maurice (29 June 2001). The Dolmen Press: A Celebration. Lilliput Press. ISBN 9781901866759 – via Google Books.
  9. Reynolds, Paige (22 September 2016). Modernist Afterlives in Irish Literature and Culture. Anthem Press. ISBN 9781783085743 – via Google Books.
  10. RoadWinston-Salem, ZSR Library1834 Wake Forest (9 May 2016). "Michael Biggs, Lettering Artist on Paper and Stone". ZSR Library.
  11. "Aosdána". aosdana.artscouncil.ie.
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