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THIS YEAR’S SHORTLIST of entries to the Hennessy Portrait Prize have been announced – and they’re as stunning as ever.
The winner of the prestigious award will be awarded a commission to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection and see their work hung in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Last year’s winner, Gerry Davis, went on to produce this portrait of Kilkenny hurling legend Henry Shefflin, which can now be viewed in the newly-refurbished gallery.
Here are this year’s candidates.
Source: Kyles Barnes
Source: Shane Berkery
Source: Bob Campbell
Source: Comhghall Casey
Source: Aileen Conroy
Source: David Creedon
Source: Roy Hewson
Source: Jacinta Guinan
Source: David Hamilton
Source: Gordon Harris
Source: Jack Hickey
Source: Myra Jago
Source: Gerard Jefferson-Lewis
Source: Vera Klute
Source: Ivan Matancevic
Source: Eilish McCann
Source: Eoghan McGrath
Source: Sean McGuill
Source: Cian McLoughlin
Source: Tom O’Dea
Source: Kenneth O’Halloran
Source: Nicholas Benedict Robinson
Source: Benita Stoney
Source: Zane SutraTo embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I can’t figure out any discernible features in “my son feeding on my breast”. Am I alone?
@Aunt.ie: I’m with you auntie
@Aunt.ie: it’s drawn from the artists point of view. She’s looking down at her son feeding.
@Aunt.ie: totally agree. Random scribbles. And as for the wood-shavings ? Or is it supposed to be w pile of Tagliatelle?
@Aunt.ie: agree – state of it. I’d smack my kid if they brought that rubbish home from montessori.
@Aunt.ie: bitty
@Anthony Byrne: Are you referring to the thermal paper with the decoded genetic information on it? I think it is without doubt the most unusual self portrait to be honest. If not exactly the most beautiful.
@Aunt.ie: initially I couldn’t work it out, but then it just clicked. It is almost like an optical illusion.
Some of those oils are so good they look so real life photos.
@Hank: yes amazing talent. Strange that photos are there as well, totally different categories.
@arlene: I suppose there are lots of different mediums there so why not photos. I’m not sure how you can make comparisons or decisions between them though. They are all so different.
@Hank: have to admit I can’t see the point of a painting that is almost indistinguishable from a photo. Just take a photo. The portraits that aren’t photo-like are far more interesting.
Wow !
Incredible art work!
Lady and the Cherry Blossoms.. 10/10
@The Viking: totally agree, I’d love that in my dining room..
There’s some seriously seriously talented people out there.
@Rory Murphy: Some chancers too. My vote goes to the fella with the walking stick.
My Time
@Paddy Lynn: Agreed. Thought it was a photograph. The detail is incredible.
Thanks for showing these great images on here. What a feast for the eyes!
It’s great to see positive stuff in The Journal to balance the inevitably negative news we receive every day.
Give us more arts & culture, please.
Little dreamer is my favourite
“Little Dreamer” by Denice Guckian
10/10 Beautifully incorporated in and with the wood grain. Delicate line and colour.
Cian McLoughlin’s ‘Tronie’ is my favourite. For me, this stands out amongst the rest as beautiful and nonstylized. It is almost ethereal. Love it.
The pretentiousness is strong here.
@darrell fahy: why do you think the ‘pretentiousness is strong here’?
Surely ( don’t call me Shirley) you are aware that all art interpretation is pretentious. Surprised you needed it pointing out
@darrell fahy: Things are only called pretentious when they are not understood – be that the art itself or the critique. Art is a very personal experience. It is not for another to call someone’s reaction to it pretentious. That is redolent of ignorance.
So is name calling. Have a bit of class.
@darrell fahy: who is name calling?
@darrell fahy: the talent is strong here, based on your post, so is the jealousy.
I like the ‘Cormac’ one. It looks as if there’s a skeleton face on his pillow – death is on his shoulder.
Photos, photo realism, abstract, animation… The kind of portraits where you just stare for ages looking at the beautiful details.
One or two of these are definitely not portraits. What looks like a messed up roll of tickets, and another is a dog drinking from a water spout …
@Ian Flynn: The roll of tickets is actually thermal paper with decoded genetic information on it of an individual so it is a self portrait . A very different and Interesting self portrait.
I like Zane Sutra’s Dun Laoghaire Fox!
My favorite is Zane’s Sutra’s work
Some of these are astonishing. But i love Zane zutra or Gordon harris kids.
All worthy. Nice to see Irish talent get some attention.
You have succeeded to catch the miracle in your work – Dun Laoghaire Fox. Thank you, Zane Sutra!
Where’s the lad on the stamp?
Is one of them just a pile of paper on the floor??
have your say