“Au Revoir Tristesse” is an artistic conversation of music and paintings conducted between two long-time
collaborators, musician, songwriter and producer Joseph Chester and member of The Waterboys and
latterly painter Steve Wickham. Inspired by Françoise Sagan’s novel “Bonjour Tristesse”, Joseph created a
series of five Bagatelles for solo classical guitar while in the midst of touring his acclaimed 2022 album
“Lucia”.
Consequently, Steve created five stunning images inspired by Joe’s music expanding on the theme of what
Joe calls “an homage to sadness”. The work has been performed in Smock Alley Theatre and Axis Theatre
Ballymun’s Exhibition space where Steve’s paintings are currently on show amidst the background of
Joseph’s music.
