Culture
29 Sep 23

Portraits by Paul J Bolger to display exhibition of Waterford artist portraits, “Sound Out Too”

Paul J Bolger

The Waterford-based musician and artist will present the second instalment of his 2013 “Sound Out” exhibit, which features drawn portraits of local Waterford musicians, held during this year’s Imagine Arts Festival 2023. The exhibit will be on display from October 24 to 30 at Luca Records & Decks, Waterford.

In 2013, Portraits by Paul Bolger, a Waterford musician and artist, did an art exhibition as part of The Imagine Arts Festival entitled “Sound Out,” where he drew portraits of fellow Waterford-based and bred musicians and artists. Featuring both those making music at the time and those no longer with us, the exhibition was a massive success, drawing in over 300 viewers on opening night. Local talent The Madrigal with special guest Rónán Ó Snodaigh from the acclaimed band Kila played the show, opened by Barry Devlin of Horslips.

Marking the 10th anniversary of that standout event, Bolger is doing the whole thing again. The sophomore exhibition will be part of Imagine Arts Festival 2023, this time entitled “Sound Out Too.” On show in Waterford at Luca Records & Decks, 23 Michael Street, the exhibition will be on display from October 24 to the 30, from 11am to 6pm daily.

Paul J Bolger Sound Out Too Sample: Tony O' Keeffe

With over 70 portraits by PJB, the exhibit showcases Déise artists including Peter Vogelaar, Backroad Smokers Club, Sympos, Cal Pacino, Shane Barry, King Kong Company and more. Plus those who support the backbone of local music, such as John Palmer, Anna Jordan, Mick O’Keeffee, and WLR’s Ray Colclough.

Not only does the exhibition place a much-deserved spotlight on local talent in Waterford, but it offers a chance for artists to come together in one room. To witness the face behind the voices propelling the Waterford music scene forward.

A press release about the exhibition describes it as, “A chance for us all to bear witness to the wonderful creativity that not only simmers in our city, but dares to burst through. New, old, ageing and young — there is something here for everyone.”

Paul J Bolger Sound Out Too Sample: Toucan

With a long list of faces, as Barry Devlin said upon the first instalment of the exhibit in 2013, “…a cursory glance at the list will tell you that the city punches above its weight, artistically.”

Conor Nolan of the Waterford Arts Office will open the forthcoming exhibition, opening in the Luca Records Store on October 24 at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm and everyone is welcome. Some of the musicians featured in Bolger’s drawings are also expected to play live on the exhibition’s opening night!

All art will also be for sale during the exhibition.

For more information, check out Paul Bolger’s website here.