Nutan Jacques Piraprez

Nutan Jacques Piraprez
Born	09-03-1948 Verviers, Belgium
🏳️ Nationality	Belgian, Irish
💼 Occupation	Photographer, Painter, Writer
Known for	Photography, Irish Traditional Music, Writing
🌐 Website	www.nutan.ie

Jacques Nutan Piraprez (born 1948) is a Belgian-born Irish photographer, painter, and writer, known for his work documenting Irish life, culture, and traditional music.

Early Life and Education

Born in Verviers, Belgium, Piraprez was the son of two teachers. In his early teens, he became close to local artist, writer, and art publisher André Blavier, which led him to associate with Belgian and French Dadaist and Surrealist painters and writers, including René Magritte, Raymond Queneau, Paul Scutenaire, and Jean Queval. These influences guided his artistic development.

He studied painting at the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Verviers (1966) and photography at the Institut Saint-Luc in Liège, Belgium. His artistic journey continued through various workshops focusing on light, colour, and photography.

Career

Piraprez's photography career began in the late 1960s, leading him to travel extensively. In 1969, he visited Ireland on assignment and was captivated by the country's light and pace of life. He returned in the early 1970s and settled in Kinvara, County Galway, in 1992. He became an Irish citizen in 1978.

His photographic work has been featured in numerous publications, including *National Geographic*, *Geo*, *Time*, *Stern*, *Paris Match*, *The Sunday Times*, *Newsweek*, *The New York Times*, *The Observer*, and *The Figaro Magazine*. He has also contributed to books such as *Irlande 66/69*, *L’Éternel Irlandais*, and *The Blooming Meadows*.

In addition to his work as a photographer and painter, Piraprez is an accomplished writer. He has authored several books, including *The Adventures of Brown Cat* (2020), *The Blooming Meadows* (1998), and *Ben Lennon: The Tailor’s Twist* (2011). His writings often focus on the intersection of Irish culture, traditional music, and visual arts.

Teaching

Piraprez has shared his expertise through various teaching roles:

Lecturer in photography at GMIT, Galway (2000–2006) - Photographic workshop leader at art colleges in Galway, Ballyvaughan, Limerick, Waterford, Dun Laoghaire, and Institut Saint-Luc, Liège (1995–2000) - Lecturer in photography at Sligo Art College (1977–1980) - Lecturer in photography at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin (1978–1980)

Contributions to Irish Traditional Music

Piraprez has a long-standing association with Irish traditional music. In 1969, he photographed sean-nós singer Seosamh Ó hÉanaí and song collector Tom Munnelly. Over the years, he has provided images for numerous album covers, including those for Sharon Shannon, John Prine, Martin Hayes, Altan, Frankie Gavin, and Mary Bergin. His work in this field inspired two traditional music books: *The Blooming Meadows* (1998) and *Ben Lennon: The Tailor’s Twist* (2011).

Collaboration with Fintan Vallely

Jacques Nutan Piraprez’s collaboration with Fintan Vallely, a renowned Irish musician and ethnomusicologist, is a significant aspect of his work in the realm of Irish traditional music. In 1998, they co-authored the book *The Blooming Meadows: The World of Irish Traditional Musicians*. This book is a comprehensive exploration of the lives and music of Ireland's traditional musicians, capturing the essence of Ireland’s rich musical heritage.

Vallely, an expert on Irish music, was instrumental in compiling stories and insights from the musicians themselves, while Piraprez's role as a photographer brought the visual dimension to the project. Piraprez’s photographic work, much of which was taken in intimate settings with the musicians, provides a visual narrative that complements the book’s written content, creating a powerful connection between the two mediums. The collaboration allowed Piraprez to showcase the personalities and dedication of the traditional musicians who helped preserve and propagate Ireland's cultural heritage.

The book also acts as a documentary record of the traditional music scene in Ireland, showcasing the people and the landscape that played a central role in shaping the music. Piraprez’s photographs capture the musicians in their homes, playing instruments, and in settings that reflect the heart of Irish culture. Vallely’s writing, which includes interviews with many influential Irish musicians, offers a deep dive into the lives of these musicians, their histories, and their roles in preserving the musical tradition. The book has become an important resource for understanding Irish traditional music and its cultural significance.

This collaboration between Piraprez and Vallely not only highlights their shared passion for Irish music but also underscores their collective commitment to documenting and preserving Irish traditions through both visual and written storytelling. It exemplifies how photography and ethnomusicology can complement each other to provide a richer understanding of a cultural subject.

Personal Life

Piraprez resides in Kinvara, County Galway. He remains an Osho devotee, a philosophy that has influenced his life since the early 1970s. He continues to engage in photography, writing, and painting, with a focus on digitizing and archiving his life's work.

Books

• 2020 – *The Adventures of Brown Cat*, Watercolour Illustrations and Texts. Self-published.
• 2016 – *Irlande 66 / 69 – Images of Ireland in the Late 1960s*, Bruxelles: Yellow Now – Les Carnets.
• 2011 – *Ben Lennon, The Tailor’s Twist*, Dublin: FOBL.
• 2011, 2010, 2006 – *Places of Irish Architectural Interest*, OPW, Dublin.
• 2006 – *The Islands of Ireland*, Thames and Hudson, London (text and photographs).
• 2006 – *Iles d’Irlande*, Editions Hoebeke, Paris.
• 2003 – *L’Eternel Irlandais*, Editions du Chêne, Paris.
• 2002 – *La Chevauchée des Kids*, Editions Hoebeke, Paris.
• 2000 – *The Irish To-day*, Cadogan, Dublin & New York.
• 2000, 1999, 1998 – *Ireland, a Photographic Journey*, Graphique de France, Boston, USA, and Paris, France.
• 1999 – *L’Enfant et la Sorcière*, with Michel Deon, Editions Gallimard, Paris.
• 1998 – *The Blooming Meadows, The World of Irish Traditional Musicians*, with Charlie Piggott and Fintan Vallely, Town House and Country House, Dublin.
• 1987 – *Une Saison 4 Etoiles*, Winning Productions, Bruxelles, London & New York.
• 1985 – *The Great Races*, Edition Winning Productions, Bruxelles, London, New York.
• 1979 – *La Bretagne*, Editions Artis Historia, Bruxelles and Paris.

Multimedia

• 2024 – *Turas* – Virtual Ireland in Music, at My Roots are Showing conference, Dundalk.
• 2013 – 2021 – *Companach* and *Turas* audio-visual concert images, large-screen projections in live performances at various locations, including:
  • • 2024 – *Turas* – Virtual Ireland in Music, at My Roots are Showing conference, Dundalk
    • 2021 – *Turas*, Covid-era DVD online shows Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy
    • 2021 05 – DVD cover and content on *Turas* – Virtual Ireland in Music
    • 2019 – Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Drogheda
    • 2019 04 10 – Hammersmith Irish Centre, London
    • 2017 04 29 – France, Liberty Tree, Breaffy house, Mayo

Awards

• 2016, 2014, 2011 – Galway Co. Council, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary Awards.
• 2004 – Biarritz, Festival de l’Image, Silver Medal for "The Most Beautiful Photographic Book of the Year" (L’Eternel Irlandais).
• 1997 & 1994 – Eircel, P.P.A.I Awards Winner, People Category.

Photographic Exhibitions

• 2022 – *L’Eternel Irlandais*, at Fox’s, Kinvarra.
• 2018 – *L’Eternel Irlandais*, at Kava, Kinvarra.
• 2017 – *L’Eternel Irlandais*, at Inisbofin Art Festival.
• 2009 (June/July) – *Rapho Photographers*, Festival de l’Image, Arles, France.
• 2009 (January) – *Rough Cuts and Notes*, The Gallery of Photography, Dublin.
• 2008 (June) – *The Best of Rapho*, Perpignan, Agence Rapho, Festival de la Photo.
• 2005 (March) – *L’Eternel Irlandais*, Centre de la Vallée, Paris, France.
• 2004 (April) – *Animals*, group show, Russel Gallery, Ballyvaughan.
• 2003 (March) – *L’Irlande de Nutan*, Athys Mons, Belgium.
• 2000/2001 – *Blooming Meadows*, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
• 1999 (July) – *Blooming Meadows*, the Library, Drumshanbo.
• 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 – *Force 10 Group Shows*, Sligo, Dublin and Leitrim.
• 1999 (March) – *Blooming Meadows*, St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Saint-Savinne, France.
• 1997 (July) – *The Traditionals*, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay.
• 1996 (July/August) – *The Traditionals*, Galway Arts Festival, Town Hall Theatre.
• 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 – *Press Photographers of Ireland*, Touring Exhibition.
• 1996 – *The Traditionals*, Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin.
• 1973 – *Art Photographers of Belgium*, Knokke, Belgium.
• 1979 – *Art Photographers of Belgium*, Musée des Beaux Arts, Bruxelles, Belgium.
• 1969 – *The Living Theatre*, Galerie de L'Etuve, Liége, and Galerie de L’escale, Verviers, Belgium.
• 1968 – *Images in Black and White*, Musée des Beaux Arts de Verviers.

References

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