Yin & Yang

EXHIBITION Abstract to Realism - From New York to Cavan

An art exhibition created by Paul Galligan is set to open from tomorrow (Thursday), April 4, in Ramor Theatre, Virginia. It is set to run until June 20.

Having spent a decade living in New York, the Killykeen native returned to the more lush jungle of Cavan to display his artistic skills through abstract paintings.

Originally from Corratober, Paul first emigrated to the US in the late 80s due to the recession.

“I thought it was time to return,” he told the Celt.

Paul was delighted to find that with the renovations of the Ramor Theatre in Virginia and Cavan Town Hall both completed, welcoming spaces have been created for local artists.

The environment for nurturing budding artists in Cavan was not always quite so productive.

“It’s a space to protect artists in Cavan and let them grow - Ramor theatre has the potential to become the main exhibit in the county,” he suggests.

The facilities in the Town Hall and Ramor Theatre are now much more modern.

Paul points out how the Town Hall Theatre also boasts studios that can be used by artists. He praised the Cavan Arts Office in this regard for facilitating artists in residence every two or three months and putting the studio space at their disposal.

Paul is one such beneficiary. “I applied for residency with the intention of doing landscapes in Cavan and following up with my exhibition in Ramor Theatre. The exhibition is the fruit of the Town Hall residency,” he reveals.

The talented artist has been painting for years. Self-taught from the age of just five years.

“I was very lucky, I was always able to paint. I didn’t have to worry about it,” he recalls.

Paul lamented how painting was never a viable career for him to have back in the ‘80s. To pay the bills, he became a carpenter by trade.

Now aged 59 years, the artist’s collection of work has accumulated greatly, as have his devoted followers.

It is no wonder that Paul has been able to express himself through his artistic talents as the artist’s uncle “stringed” instruments.