Mayo arts centre reveals Bolay Residency artist

THE Linenhall Arts Centre has announced that visual artist Paul Murnaghan has been chosen as this year’s Bolay Residency recipient.

Murnaghan, a Dublin-based visual artist, curator and composer, works with the substance of belief.

Between 2000 and 2012 he curated approximately 30 exhibitions in Ireland. A recipient of several Arts Council awards, Murnaghan has been a resident artist at The International Studio & Curatorial Program in Brooklyn, New York, and Platform, Finland. He has exhibited extensively, including in numerous international group shows, with solo exhibitions in Finland, Estonia, Germany, United States and Ireland.

“Every year the selection process proves difficult as the standard of applications is so high. The panel dedicated their skills and expertise in giving every application due consideration.

“We are really looking forward to hosting Paul for 2023 and hope that the time and space awarded is exactly what he needs,” commented Linenhall executive director Bernadette Greenan.

Now in its fourth year, the Bolay Residency focuses on artists who feel disconnected from their practice. Murnaghan’s application demonstrated the necessity for support due to a recent break in his practice and a desire to explore and expand his artistic disciplines.

The award encompasses a purpose-built studio in the Linenhall, accommodation at Lough Lannagh Village, tailored mentorship, a purpose-built digital suite, an artist fee of €8,000, a materials budget of €2,000 and an exhibition opportunity at the Linenhall in 2024.

Murnaghan was selected by a panel consisting of artist and Linenhall board trustee Bryan Gerard Duffy, acting public art coordinator with Mayo County Council Aoife O’Toole, multidisciplinary artist Vera Klute, 2022 Bolay Residency recipient and visual artist Dominc Thorpe and Linenhall executive director Bernadette Greenan. Due to the substantial nature of the residency, the selection process was supported by Noel Kelly of Visual Artists Ireland. Lough Lannagh Village in Castlebar is also supporting the residency for the fourth successive year.

The Bolay Residency is named in honour of visual artist Veronica Bolay, who sat on the board of directors at the Linenhall Arts Centre for a period spanning 13 years.

Murnaghan will commence his residency at the Linenhall on Monday, November 13, after two weeks of off-site preparatory research. The residency culminates on December 22.