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Veronica Bolay

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German-Irish painter

Veronica Bolay
Born(1941-08-08)8 August 1941
Hamburg, Germany
Died3 January 2020(2020-01-03) (aged 78)
Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
NationalityGerman, West German, Irish
Other namesVeronica Bolay-Jankowsky
Alma materUniversity of Fine Arts of Hamburg
Aachen University
Known foroil painting, pastels
StyleIntimism
SpousePeter Jankowsky
Children1
Parent(s)Heinrich (Heiner) Bolay
Kate Bolay
ElectedRoyal Hibernian Academy (2002), Aosdána (2006)

Veronica Bolay RHA (8 August 1941 – 3 January 2020) was a German–Irish painter. She was a member of Aosdána, an elite Irish association of artists.

Early life

Bolay was born in Hamburg in 1941. Her earliest memory was of Operation Gomorrah, the allied terror bombing of Hamburg. The family fled to Mecklenburg, then returned to Hamburg after hearing rumours that Mecklenburg would fall under Soviet control.

Career

Bolay attended the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg in 1958–63, studying painting and costume design, as fine art was not considered a profitable career path. She then studied group therapy at Aachen University. In 1971 she moved to Ireland, and was part of a 1978 exhibition of women artists held in the Project Gallery in Dublin.

She was elected to the Royal Hibernian Academy in 2002 and to Aosdána in 2006.

Her work was in the field of abstract landscapes, working in oils and pastels, and often depicting the West of Ireland. The Irish Times wrote that "despite a bold colour sense had an exceptionally light touch with both , teasing out subtleties of light and atmosphere with expanses of radiant colour and darting lines. Even her quietest compositions are infused with a lively, crackling energy." Brian Fallon referred to her as an intimiste rather than a Romantic.

An exhibition of her work was shown at the Coach House Gallery, Dublin Castle in 2022–23. Paul Durcan wrote two poems inspired by her work.

Personal life

Bolay married the Berlin-born actor Peter Jankowsky (1939–2014); they had one child. They lived in Westport, County Mayo and Stillorgan for much of their lives.

She died in 2020.

References

  1. Gallagher, William (28 January 1989). The National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland: 1989-1999. University of Limerick Press. ISBN 9780946846337 – via Google Books.
  2. "Art in Focus – Man is in love and loves what vanishes by Veronica Bolay". The Irish Times.
  3. webmaster, Arts Council (1 July 2020). "Arts Council expresses regret at passing of artist Veronica Bolay". www.artscouncil.ie.
  4. "Veronica Bolay RHA 1941 - , Irish Artist". adams.ie.
  5. ^ "Mayo exhibition in appreciation of work and life of Veronica Bolay". Connaught Telegraph. 29 November 2022.
  6. "Veronica Bolay RHA (b.1941) Archives".
  7. "Cultural high priests gather for debate and election of 12 apostles". independent. 9 February 2006.
  8. ^ "Veronica Bolay obituary: German-born artist inspired by the West of Ireland". The Irish Times.
  9. "Elemental. An appreciation of the extraordinary life and work of Veronica Bolay RHA | Dublin Castle".
  10. News, The Mayo. "Artist Veronica Bolay dies at 78". The Mayo News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. Durcan, Paul (29 March 2012). Praise in Which I Live and Move and Have my Being. Random House. ISBN 9781448113149 – via Google Books.
  12. Oram, Hugh (9 October 2017). The Little Book of Stillorgan. The History Press. ISBN 9780750986274 – via Google Books.
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