Laois artist Joe’s amazing drawings can be seen in Abbeyleix Library
Artist Joe O'Toole pictured with his girlfriend Kinga Syroka (left) and her parents Joanna and Artur Syroka
A SUPERB collection of photorealism graphite artworks by 21-year-old Laois artist Joe O’Toole was launched in Abbeyleix Library and Gallery last week.
Entitled ‘Genesis’, this is Joe’s first solo exhibition.
The Portlaoise artist has a huge talent for highly realistic pieces, but never studied art in school and discovered his talent unexpectedly in 2022 while studying for the leaving cert.
At the opening of the exhibition, Joe said that he was excited and nervous.
Asked by the Laois Nationalist when did he begin creating his works, he said: “I was on a study break shortly before my leaving cert and watching a TV show. I went back into my room at home and decided to try to sketch one of the characters from the show that I had just been watching.
“My parents Éadaoin O’Connell and Colm O’Toole saw my sketches sometime later and were amazed. They encouraged me to pursue art through Abbeyleix FETC, where I completed QQI levels 5 and 6 over the two following academic years, so I did.
“The coaching and encouragement I got from the wonderful art team furthered the advancement of my skills and deepened my passion for art. I am now pursuing a degree in Fine Art at the Limerick School of Art and Design, where I exhibited a piece titled ‘Revelation’ in a group show during my first term last autumn.
“I also exhibited my best work in the end-of-year group exhibitions from Abbeyleix FETC at the Dunamaise Arts Centre Gallery in Portlaoise, and I recently exhibited my Gary Ringrose portrait as part of a larger group exhibition curated by visual artist Vera Klute in the Dunamaise also.”
Opening the exhibition, Abbeyleix Further Education and Training Centre art tutor Jackie Carter said: “Where do I start with our Joe? I was very lucky as a co-ordinator in the art department to have had Joe for two years.
“When Joe came in for his interview, he sat down and said: ‘I didn’t know I could draw so I’ll just show you these.’ He then opened the most amazing sketchbook and we looked and said oh right, you can draw.
“Joe’s style is so traditional. It’s an old tradition which sometimes can be a little bit lost in art colleges around the world, so watching him develop that skill has been really enjoyable the whole way along. His skill is something to be admired.”
At the launch, the young maestro, who aspires to open his own studio and run his own business selling his artwork, said a few words of thanks.
He said that he was excited and proud to be displaying his first solo exhibition and thanked his parents, his girlfriend Kinga Syroka, the staff at Abbeyleix FETC, Abbeyleix Library and everyone who attended the launch and supported him in any way.
The exhibition is on display for the remainder of January and can be viewed during library opening hours.
Most of the collection can also be viewed by passers-by from outside the library due to the building’s huge window.
To contact the artist, email Joe.ot9@gmail.com or search Joe.ot9Art on Instagram.
