Tomata du Plenty: A Life Lived Out Loud

May 2026

On May 28, we remember the birth of Tomata du Plenty, an artist who moved fluidly between performance, music, and visual art. His life was not a straight path, but a series of reinventions shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new.

Born David Xavier Harrigan in New York in 1948 to Irish immigrant parents, he left home as a teenager and headed west, eventually finding his place in the vibrant counterculture scene of San Francisco in the late 1960s. It was there that Tomata began to take shape — not just as a name, but as a creative identity.

His early work centered on performance. In Seattle, he founded an experimental group that blended theater, drag, humor, and social commentary. The performances were informal and bold, often challenging expectations and inviting audiences to see things differently.

He later moved to Los Angeles and co-founded The Screamers. The band became known for its high-energy shows and unusual sound, using synthesizers instead of guitars. Even without releasing a traditional album, they became an important part of the early punk scene.

In the early 1980s, Tomata turned his focus to visual art. He created expressive portraits of people and cultural figures, often working quickly and directly. Rather than relying on traditional gallery systems, he preferred to share and sell his work in more accessible ways.

In the late 1980s, he spent time in Miami Beach, where he continued to paint and exhibit his work. That connection remains an important part of his legacy today. The Miami-Dade Public Library System holds several of his works in its Permanent Art Collection, including stencils, watercolors, and a small sculpture. These pieces reflect the same energy and individuality that defined his work across different media.

Tomata du Plenty passed away in 2000, but his impact continues to be felt, and his legacy remains difficult to contain. He was an artist who followed his instincts, explored different forms of expression, and stayed true to his vision. He was a performer who became a musician, a musician who became a painter — and throughout it all, an artist committed to expression without restraint. His life reminds us that creativity does not need to fit a category; it only needs to be lived fully.

We invite you to explore selected works from the Library’s Permanent Art Collection, available through the Digital Collections, and discover his work firsthand.