26 artists working across a variety of media reach the final stage of the prestigious AIB Portrait Prize …
“Irish Portraiture holds a valuable place in our cultural tapestry, capturing a moment in time, a reflection of our people, our stories and our history,” says Colin Hunt, Chief Executive Officer of AIB, sponsor of the annual Portrait Prize at the National Gallery, which for many is the highlight of the artistic year.
The winner will receive a cash prize of €15,000 and will be commissioned to create a work for the National Portrait Collection, for which they will be awarded a further €5,000. Two additional awards of €1,500 will be given to highly commended works. The shortlist for this year’s prize was selected by a judging panel comprising artist Gareth Reid, Professor Emily Mark-FitzGerald from the School of Art History & Cultural Policy in UCD and Dr Barbara Dawson, Director of the Hugh Lane Gallery.
The shortlisted portraits be on display in the Portrait Gallery (Room 23) at the Gallery from November 8; until then enjoy this preview …
Enda Burke (Galway), Bruised, Still Blooming, photograph. @enda35mm
Áine O’Hara (Mayo, based in Dublin), Day 261 Bedbound/I miss ye, photograph. @misc.aine
Missy Brinkmeyer (Cabra, Dublin), Essence of Flow, photograph. @whereismissyb
Rebecca Ruth Ewnetu (based in London), Irish, photograph. @yewthmagazine
David Creedon (Cork), Becky with her Bee Hives, photograph. @creedonphoto
John Foley (Waterford), Biddy Boy, photograph. @johnrfoley
Joe Laverty (Tyrone), Declan, Lough Neagh Fisherman, photograph. @joelavertyphotography
Miseon Lee (Louth), Blues, oil on linen.
Frances Leogue (Dublin), Field Trip, oil on linen. @frances.leogue
Jillian Murphy (Dublin), Here is a stranger, oil on canvas.
Francis O’Toole (Dublin), The Waste Land, oil on linen. @francisotooleartist
Nathan Lowry (Dublin), Circle of Life, acrylic on canvas. @nathanlowryart
