Francis O'Toole

The Waste Land, 2025

Oil on linen | Unframed: 123 x 187cm

‘In The Waste Land a solitary man sits on a worn stool amid the ruins of a collapsed 1970s factory. Rusted girders, shattered glass, and muted hues evoke entropy and sorrow. Behind him, concrete pillars bear war dates – each a lost epoch, ending with a chilling question mark. He gazes distantly, weary yet unbroken. Rich with poetic symbolism, the scene invites introspection. Meaning lingers in shadows and silence. Even in ruin, “they could not turn off the stars”.’ - Francis O'Toole.

At 17, Francis O’Toole survived a life-threatening industrial accident and spent several years in recovery. Lost and struggling, he entered a dark period until his mother suggested painting. Though hesitant, he gave it a try and gradually found purpose through creativity. Encouraged by his father, he exhibited his early work in Dublin, but felt limited without formal training. ‘Determined to improve’, he says, ‘I saved and borrowed to study classical art in Florence for four years’. Now a fulltime artist, O’Toole has exhibited internationally and received several prestigious awards.

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