ARTIST .

ACCIDENTAL

Tommy Rhattigan .

about.

Tommy Rhattigan.

Born in Athlone Ireland 1955

Classed and vilified as ‘Tinkers’ the lowest form of human life in Eire at the time. Tommy Rhattigan was 10-months old when he was snatched out of the arms of his 10-year-old sister, by the local priest and Garda.

Separated from his family and incarcerated into an Industrial School for almost 6-years.

Tommy spent all of his childhood up until the age of 15 years-old under the so-called ‘Care and Protection’ of the courts in Eire and also in the UK, experiencing Sexual, Physical and Psychological abuse throughout that time.

Uneducated, Tommy taught himself all what he knows and became a bestselling author, Poet, Songwriter, and an ‘Accidental’ Artist’!

Tommy Rhattigan has been the subject of several documentaries, having escaped the clutches of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, and I havs done numerous Radio and TV interviews including with Piers Morgan, Lorraine Kelly and Loose Women.

"Echoes of a Childhood passed"

An immersive exhibition and mixed media installation based on the Sunday-Times bestselling novel ‘1963 A Slice Of Bread And Jam’ and its sequel ‘Boy Number 26, bringing these memoirs to life through Words, Music, Paintings, and art Installation as part of an exhibition that will be open to the public.

COMING SPRING

2025 .

TOMMY RHATTIGANMY ART.

My journey as an artist began in the wake of adversity, following a heart attack in 2019. As the author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel 1963: A Slice of Bread & Jam, which explores the trauma of my childhood, I found new solace and purpose in creative expression. My artistic practice centers on mixed media, exploring themes of memory, trauma, and lived experience. At the core of my work is a deep connection to the subjects I portray, ensuring authenticity that resonates with both audiences and participants.

Following a heart attack in 2019, I seized the opportunity to rekindle my passion for art.Having recently garnered significant interest from galleries & film companies with invitations to showcase my work. My work is currently exhibited at the Model Gallery, Sligo, alongside an exhibition of Jack Yeats’ work, as well as featuring in an award-winning film, screened at festivals across the world in 2024, which has prompted an invitation for my exhibition to be shown at the Abject gallery Sunderland this December 2024.
The enthusiasm & recognition of my work from respected institutions has motivated me to expand my creative vision & bring it to life.
Serving as a powerful medium for expressing complex emotions & experiences, particularly those related to childhood trauma, resonating with others. Art has a unique ability to transcend language barriers and forge emotional connections.
Recognising disparities faced by underrepresented communities & ethnic minorities like myself from an Irish gypsy background, I champion diversity & inclusivity in the arts and driven by a determination to overcome obstacles, make meaningful contributions to the art community through my work, demonstrating we can all overcome barriers.

Driven by an impulsive need to express the images & emotions swirling in my mind onto canvas. My paintings serve as a catalyst for communication, explore themes of childhood, trauma, humour & the spectrum of human emotions. Through written reflections of childhood, my stories resonate & encourage open dialogue about others own experiences.

I want to convey how we all possess the power of communication without having to speak one word. Experiencing the transformative power of creativity & benefits of engagement in art in its capacity to address mental health challenges.

Creativity, for me, being at the core, serving as a channel for self-expression & a tool for navigating life's complexities.

The Long-Term Vision to tour the Echoes of a Childhood Passed the exhibition nationally, will be a focus in navigating the project, this commitment to growth will empower those who work on the project, contributing to the broader narrative of the artistic journey, strengthening the impact of my work within the creative landscape.

ECHOES OF A CHILDHOOD PASSED.

Echoes of a childhood passed is a powerful thought-provoking immersive installation, based on my childhood memories & abuse suffered whilst in the care system resulting in mental health issues throughout adulthood. Bringing these echoes to life through an exhibition featuring my paintings, specially created sculptures, lighting design and commissioned soundscapes, the exhibition will be designed like a a narrative journey, whereby visitors are guided through my childhood memories growing up in care and gradually delve into the more challenging aspects, ending with a message of hope and resilience.

With inquiries & interest from galleries and film companies in my work & potential collaborations with respected international institutions ready to support, exhibit, & promote the project, now is the perfect moment to bring my exhibition 'Echoes of a childhood passed' it to life. The level of interest validates the project’s relevance & opportunity to elevate its impact, reach new audiences, foster meaningful dialogue around mental health and resilience. The timing aligns perfectly with growing awareness of these issues, making this exhibition both timely and necessary.

The momentum of these opportunities indicates a strong readiness within the cultural and creative sector for this work, particularly as my debut exhibition, Echoes of a Childhood Past, explores deeply personal yet universally resonant themes.

Through an immersive installation, it explores the impact of childhood trauma, abuse, and growing up in the care system. Combining visual art, film, and specially created soundscapes, I bring my childhood memories to life, expressing experiences that are difficult to articulate through words alone. The blend of these mediums evokes the fragmented and disorienting nature of memory and trauma. The soundscapes reflect the emotional turbulence of my early life, while the film segments provide visual narratives that deepen the viewer’s engagement.

Visitors will journey through a narrative arc, beginning with early childhood memories and gradually moving into more difficult themes such as poverty, neglect, and abuse, ultimately concluding with a message of hope and resilience.

Sharing my personal journey, I hope to inspire others to reflect on their own experiences, showing that trauma can lead to personal growth, healing and artistic expression.

The core goal is to highlight the transformative power of creativity as a means of communication, foster conversations about childhood trauma, mental health and the care system, encouraging empathy and understanding healing and resilience

The project features events with guest speakers, mental health advocates, poets, and musicians responding to the exhibition’s themes, along with artist-led creative workshops encouraging participants to explore their creativity, reinforce the exhibition’s message that creativity is a powerful tool for addressing mental health challenges.

It challenges the stigma around mental health, sheds light on the emotional impact of the care system, and visitors can engage with the exhibition by contributing their own thoughts and experiences, creating a communal space for dialogue, reflection, and shared healing.

The exhibition aims to act as a catalyst for ongoing discussions on trauma, mental health, and resilience. Post-exhibition, I will pursue collaborations with mental health organisations and art institutions to continue these critical conversations. By sharing my story through art, I aim to create an experience that fosters empathy, dialogue, and positive change in how trauma and mental health are perceived.

Notably, Catherine Corless, esteemed Irish Historian renowned for her diligent compilation of information into the children's deaths in Galway, will be a guest speaker during the exhibition. Her presence will provide invaluable insights & foster dialogue on the historical context surrounding such institutions.

There will be a hands-on workshop where participants can explore their own creativity and express themselves through art. This can be a safe space for dialogue and reflection on the intersection of mental health and artistic expression. If you would like more details on hopw to get involved with the project please contact us via the contact enquiry form.

Film & Gallery.

press.

A Slice of Bread & Jam

A raw and often funny 12-month snapshot of 7-year-old Tommy’s brutal young life. Moving us through his daily struggle with poverty and neglect in 1960s Manchester like it’s the most natural thing in the world, Tommy lives at the heart of a large Irish family in derelict Hulme, ruled by an abusive and alcoholic father and a drunk, negligent mother. Alongside his siblings he begs for a few pennies to bring home to keep their parents from belting them, while hunting for something to eat and a littl

Boy Number 26

THE SEQUEL TO THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, 1963: A SLICE OF BREAD AND JAM Placing a child in care doesn't mean caring for a child. When little Tommy Rhattigan was taken into care in 1963 aged just 7, he entered a closed off world of institutionalised sexual abuse. Moved between a care home in Manchester and a reform school in Liverpool, the state was supposed to pick up the duty of care that his parents had failed to give him. But instead, separated from his siblings, young Tommy was thrown

Loose Women Interview

Tommy Rhattigan | Loose Women Nov 20, 2017

Isle of Thanet News

Interview with Kathy Bailes IOTN

GMTV Interview

Tommy Rhattigan speaking with Piers Morgan and Suzanna reid on GMTV

The Mirror Interview

The seven-year-old child beggar experienced the horrifying encounter on a Manchester evening in 1963 , three years before the pair were jailed for a series of horrific crimes against children that shocked the world. Tommy revealed details of a "chilling" letter he received from monster Ian Brady , who died yesterday at the age of 79 .