ESTHER RAQUEL MINSKY DARK ENTRIES DOCUMENTARY NOW AVAILABLE

26/08/22

Still from Dark Entries - photograph by Andrew Kohn

Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.

Esther Raquel Minsky
Esther Raquel Minsky may well be the invention of novelist and lecturer Denis Kehoe. Or Denis Kehoe may be the invention of Esther Raquel Minsky. Though perhaps both of them were just dreamed up by the man known as Oscar Esterson, once upon a time, somewhere between Europe and South America.

You can follow the artist on Instagram

2022 FIRE BRAND ANNOUNCED!

22/05/22

Happy World Goth Day Darling! Soul Noir is very proud to announce our 2022 Fire Brand -Breda Lynch. The Fire Brand is a symbol of our subcultural representation, the heart of what we stand for and the face of our festival for the calendar year. The selected Fire Brand represents the ethos of rebellion, darkness and radicalism in the field of the Gothic / dark / alternative / underground cultural arts. The Fire Brand is an agitator in the landscape of Soul Noir for their reigning year, generating events and happenings.

Breda Lynch - born in Kilkenny and lives in Limerick city where she works as a full-time lecturer in Fine Art at Limerick School of Art and Design. She holds a BA (Hons)Degree in Fine Art Print at Crawford College of Art, an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art and Design, London and an MPhil in Fine Art Print and Digital Media from the University of Wolverhampton. A visual artist working in a variety of media, including drawing, photography, print and digital media, video and installation. She engages with dialogues and discourses on - queer feminisms, th western mystery tradition and occulture, appropriation and the economy of the image. Lynch has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions in Ireland and abroad. A recipient of several awards and residencies Lynch is included in national and private collections. Her work was recently purchased by IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Arts Council of Ireland for their permanent collections.

More details of Breda's plans for the year will be announced soon.

You can find this legendary artist's work on her website at her website and Twitter to learn more.

PAT BYRNE DARK ENTRIES DOCUMENTARY RELEASED

11/12/21

Still from Dark Entries - Pat Byrne (2021)

Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.

Visit Soul Noir's new Vimeo to experience these documentaries online.

Pat Byrne
Originally from Laois,Pat Byrne moved to Galway in 2006 to study at the GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus. Specialized in fine art painting and graduating in 2010 with a BA Honours Degree, Patremained in Galway for a time, during his final year in college he became one of the founding members of the artist collective, A – merge. Early in 2011, having failed to secure a studio in the Arthouse, Stradbally, Pat was awarded a studio by Laois County Council and in March returned to hishome county. Pat worked in Laois for just over a year before undertaking a 3 month residency in Iceland with NES, it was at this time that folklore began to appear in his work. He returned to Ireland and the following year he began his Masters in Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, graduating in 2015. Pat is currently based in Laois where he continues to work on his studio practice, showing both in Ireland and abroad.

Visit the artists website, Instagram and Facebook for more information.

TACTILE TOUR WITH PAT BYRNE

07/11/21

Thank you to everyone who came to our tactile tour of From Under the Hill, a solo show of works by Pat Byrne at Tallaght Library. We had a great time learning about Pat’s work and great tea and chats afterwards.

NEW SOLO SHOW FROM UNDER THE HILL BY PAT BYRNE

04/11/21

Soul Noir is pleased to present a solo show of work by the artist Pat Byrne. 'From Under the Hill' will be exhibited from the 5th to the 30th of November in Tallaght Library.

'My practice explores superstitions and folklore as I look at mythological humanoids and fairies while attempting to portray them in a more realistic and contemporary fashion wanting to render them as somebody who could possibly pass us by on the street. Superstitions have always held a core place in Irish culture but as time progresses the mischievous and malevolent spirits that once occupied the spoken word and imagination are being forgotten only to be seen as figures of parody. The lack of faith in this make- believe world is something that I feel reflects the current human condition in Ireland with so many people unemployed and no structure to their daily lives, figures of folklore are effectively in the same situation and on the mythological dole queue simply living out each day completing mundane tasks. '

Bibliography
Originally from Laois,Pat Byrne moved to Galway in 2006 to study at the GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus. Specialized in fine art painting and graduating in 2010 with a BA Honours Degree, Patremained in Galway for a time, during his final year in college he became one of the founding members of the artist collective, A – merge. Early in 2011, having failed to secure a studio in the Arthouse, Stradbally, Pat was awarded a studio by Laois County Council and in March returned to hishome county. Pat worked in Laois for just over a year before undertaking a 3 month residency in Iceland with NES, it was at this time that folklore began to appear in his work. He returned to Ireland and the following year he began his Masters in Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, graduating in 2015. Pat is currently based in Laois where he continues to work on his studio practice, showing both in Ireland and abroad.

Visit the artists website, Instagram and Facebook for more information.

There will also be a visually impaired friendly artist talk on November 13th at 12.30pm. You can get your tickets here.

Brought to you by Tallaght Library and Soul Noir

(image description: a poster of Byrne's work “Battle's in the Sky' (2020) of a blue / green ceremonial mask hanging from a coat rack. The mask is in colour and the canvas is raw. The exhibition information such as the title, address and dates are on the poster.)

Address: Tallaght Library, Library Square, Tallaght (across from The Square Shopping Centre) Dublin D24 A3EX.

BIG thank you to Sarah Brooks for covering the show on News Group. Find article here.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR OUR 2021 OPENING!!

14/10/21

Join us for the opening for this Halloween at Dublin Castle- October 31st 6 - 9 pm (Additionally open November 1st 1 - 8 pm). Situated at Bedford Hall, Upper Courtyard at Dublin Castle, Dame St. Dublin 2. Entrance via Corke Hill (beside City Hall) on the opening and after 5 on November 1st.
At the opening there will be performances by RAM Cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, Performance Artist Fergus Byrne and Dance Artist Isabella Oberlander. Prepare yourself for a haunting halloween of Ireland's best underground and Gothic art featuring Susan MacWilliam, Daire Lynch and Pat Byrne. High end Gothic attire is highly encouraged.

7 – 7.25 Ailbhe McDonagh and Fergus Byrne bespoke performance

8 – 8.25 Isabella Oberlander performs a site specific response to the courtyard, 'Absorbing - or what are you listening to?'

8.30pm: Awards ceremony. Featuring 'Best in Show', 'Best Emerging Artist' and the 'Dark Heart Award'. Have your say and vote for 'Audience Favourite' (announced on November 2nd). There will also be a special award for an audience member in 'Best Dressed'.

Bedford Hall, Upper Courtyard at Dublin Castle, Dame St. Dublin 2. Entrance via Corke Hill (beside City Hall).

Covid measures will be in place in accordance with government guidelines at the time of event.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are broken into 2 time slots
Time slot 1 is 6 - 7.30 available here

Time slot 2 is 7.30 - 9 available here

No tickets are needed for November 1st and live events include a reading by The Hardliners at 1pm and a talk with GalleryX at 6pm. Entrance via Corke Hill for the GalleryX talk.

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS FOR OCTOBER

13/10/21

Tallaght LibraryMonday and Wednesday 18th & 20th Oct 3.30-5.30 pm. County Library, Library Square,Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Castletymon Library Tuesday 19th & Thursday 21st Oct 3.30-5.30pm. Castletymon Public Library, Castletymon Road, D24EC1X, Dublin 24

Led by artist Aoibhinn O'Dea

Join us for a Goth friendly workshop for children aged 8-12 to unleash their inner artist and get creating with Tim Burton inspired puppets to make and keep forever! Using high quality materials your child's new little friend can go on as many adventures as they like for years to come. Children can choose from Corpse Bride, Jack Skellington, BeetleJuice, Edward Scissorhands or maybe their own character inspired by Tim Burton! Workshops are free but booking is essential. Led by artist Aoibhinn O'Dea. P.S dress up is also highly encouraged!

TICKETS FOR TALLAGHT LIBRARY ARE SOLD OUT

Get your tickets for Castletymon Library here

SUPPORT OUR 2021 FUND IT CAMPAIGN

30/09/21

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS. You can find our funder’s list here

This will be our fifth edition of the festival. Soul Noir was built to support true alternative and Gothic artists in Ireland and give them the platform they deserve. This is a unique festival designed to lift the veil of Gothic culture to Irish audiences and experience the highest standard artists in haunting and historic locations. This year will be a 2 day festival in Dublin Castle from October 31st - November 1st. Our programme ranges from video art by Susan MacWilliam to a performance by cellist Ailbhe McDonagh and performance artist Fergus Byrne. We showcase all artists with respect and our open call is open to everyone regardless of social class, education history, gender or race. We seek only to bring together all walks of life to celebrate the glory that is Goth. You can also check out our manifeso here which details our principles and motivations.

The following is what is costs to run this event:

Venue rental fees - €2000
Professional photographer - €600
Catalogue designer - €811.80
Poster design - €300
Poster / catalogue / rewards printing - €500
Special display plinths - €860
Insurance - €361
Professional security - €100
Opening reception - €100
Additional artist fees - €300
Presentation stands - €81
Additional framing - €100
Additional printing - €30
Fund it fees - €493.28

Total = €6659.28

We are aiming for €4,500 as a target goal,but if you can help us reach the full costs, please keep supporting the campaign once we hit €4,500 to help us cover our expenses.

Our team is made up of artists and industry professionals. This includes (i) MA Law graduate John Paul Maguire as our Director;(ii) BA artist Shota Kotake as our Artistic Consultant; (iii) BA dance artist Jack Rabbit as our Creative Co - Director and ; (iv) MA artist Sinéad Keogh as our Curator and Director. We run like a well oiled Victorian pocket watch. We are confident we can run this festival again and to a high standard with YOUR support.

We have faced and overcome each obstacle as a team. What we need is financial support to help us cover the costs of such an intricately designed festival. The financial burden weighs as much as a pair of Demonia boots.

We received a €3000 grant from DCC which we are using to pay our artists.
(although we are still fundraising to pay the artists the grant did not cover). We have no funding for the costs of the festival itself whatsoever. This is why your support is so crucial.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Soul Noir. With YOUR support we can make this festival run... maybe even fly. You will receive beautiful gifts designed by Shota Kotake, including tote bags, postcards, posters, T- Shirts etc in exchange for funding and supporting underground arts and Gothic subculture in Ireland.

Thank you.

You can donate here

Soul Noir Fund it campaign 2021 from Soul Noir Festival on Vimeo.

NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES DARK ENTRIES OF UNDEGROUND ARTISTS

02/09/21

Still from Dark Entries - Sean Fitzgerald (2021)

Another new initiative of our education and outreach programme, Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.

Visit Soul Noir's new Vimeo to experience these documentaries online.

2021 Dark Entries Artists

Sean Fitzgerald
Sean Fitzgerald lives in a remote area of the North West of Ireland. His art investigates the darker elements from Irish mythology, folk magic and sacred sites. The resulting drawings are dark motifs which are intricately layered with traditional knotwork and full of powerful symbolism.
Instagram @seanfitzgeraldart

The other two artists will be announced in the coming weeks - Stay tuned!!

SOUL NOIR 2021 FIRE BRAND ANNOUNCED!!

02/05/21

Soul Noir is very proud to announce our very first Fire Brand - Sean Fitzgerald. A new initiative for our 2021 education and outreach programme, the Fire Brand will be a symbol of our subcultural representation, the heart of what we stand for and the face of our festival for the calendar year. The Fire Brand will represent the ethos of rebellion, darkness and radicalism in the field of the Gothic / dark / alternative / underground cultural arts. The Fire Brand will be an agitator in the landscape of Soul Noir for their reigning year, generating events and happenings. The role of the Fire Brand will be to bring about an awareness of our festival and to Goth /dark / alternative / underground culture as a whole through their practice, our combined social media platforms and additional events. The Fire Brand will enrich our organisation by garnering awareness for important movements / happenings to educate and agitate the public on underground arts and for Soul Noir to serve as a platform to our yearly selected firebrand.

Sean Fitzgerald was inspired from an early age by the many mysterious tales from Irish myths and folklore. His stippled illustrations are a celebration of these stories with strands of nature and ritual magic which he fuses into part traditional Celtic motifs. In 2019 he wrote and illustrated the book The Last Battle of Moytura (Hill of Tara Press) which told the story of the battle between good and evil with Balor of the Evil Eye and the God of Light, Lugh Lamfhada.

He has exhibited in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australia.

More details of Sean's plans for the year will be announced soon.

You can find this outstanding artist's work on Instagram and Facebook to enrich your life and feed your soul. Walk in beauty and in darkness.