Launch of Mervue Portraits at Ballybane Library

Mervue Portraits, a Public Art Commission begun in 2006, with funding generated from the Per Cent Art Scheme, through works undertaken by Galway City Council’s Housing Department in Quinn Place, Loughnane Terrace and St. James Road, Mervue resulted in ‘Mervue Portraits’ by artist Christopher Banahan and writer Michael O’Loughlin.
It was simple idea of offering to paint any one who would like their portrait painted, and for the finished portrait to be subsequently given to the resident to maintain in their own home. Michael O’Loughlin, then began to re-trace Christopher’s footsteps and revisited the participants that had had their portrait painted. Through a series of interviews and conversations with the participants, Michael created his own form of written portraiture of these people.
The publication designed by Tony O’Hanlon of Propellor Designs is a simple bringing together of these two projects by Christopher and Michael and works to test the boundaries and potentials of both writing and painting, in attempting to capture the characters of these residents and is both a wonderful document and homage to the people. The publication is available from Galway City Council Arts Office.

Top photo: Christopher Banahan, Artist; Michael O’Loughlin, Poet; James Harrold, Arts Officer; Mayor Pádraig Conneely, Siobhán Arkins librarian at Ballybane Library and Megs Morley, Public Arts Officer.Bottom photo: James Harrold with Michael and Christopher looking on.