Dr. Tony Monahan has been a professional educator for many years. He has taught in public and private schools in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. Since 2011, he has had the pleasure of working at Queensborough Community College as an Assistant Professor for the Health, Physical Education and Dance department.
Dr. Tony Monahan is also compelled to produce art. He is a self-taught artist and has been producing artwork since 1997. He started working with acrylic paints on canvas and soon switched to working with papers, specifically paper structure. His pieces usually contain elements of color, nature, science, mathematical sequencing, geometry, as well as representations of physics, astronomy, human anatomy, world languages, fantasy, and folklore.
He tends to see and construct his artwork predominantly through the use of turtles, which manifest themselves in various designs and patterns. A carapace is the turtle’s shell (specifically the top half). The shape and design of its shell is universally recognized and identify this particular animal to all people and cultures. Along with protection and strength, the shell of a turtle provides intricate designs, color, and geometrical structure.
Artistic Mediums
Paintings: Acrylic paint on stretched canvass
Paper Structures: selected papers layered with mat board and constructed with glue, rice starch, and reinforced with stainless steel screws, nuts, and bolts. He does not use paints to color or design the paper. The papers are procured for their color, texture, patterns, and compatibility with the images he is planning. He often spends years collecting the right types of paper before starting a piece of art. It has taken 18 years to produce 50 quality pieces – an average of 3 per year.
Dr. Tony Monahan has artwork currently on display in the following institutions:
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Escola Rosa Azul (Brazil)
- Fitchburg State University (MA)
- The Helen Keller National Center (NY)
- Peace Dale Library (RI)
- Queensborough Community College: Schmeller Library
- South County Hospital (RI)
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Rhode Island
He has also donated artwork for fundraising events to support the following organizations:
- American Cancer Society
- Habitat for Humanity
- Narragansett (RI) School Department
- United Nations Association (CA)