A Load Of Old Cobbler

Pat Vance by Brendan Cleary

art of a college project focusing on the mighty Pat Vance, The Last Shoe Repairman In Bray opened at the Signal Arts Centre last night.

The man behind the camera is Brendan Cleary, the Greystones student drawing inspiration for his photographs from the likes of Vivian Maier, Walker Evans and Gordon Parks.

The man in front of the camera has been repairing shoes ever since his father passed on the skill, Pat Vance’s family having been in Bray for over 200 years. His father, Johnny, began repairing shoes aged 8, and was still doing just that up until three weeks before he passed, aged 82.

Given that we may be looking at the end of an era, an exhibition like The Last Shoe Repairman In Bray is a solid reminder of what will be lost.

Catching the launch last night at Signal Arts Centre was snapper Gerry Kelly.

Running until Sunday, January 14th, you can find out more about Brendan Cleary’s exhibition here.