As winner of the Hennessy portrait prize Gerry Davis has cause for celebration; yet his recent series illustrating dormant studios shows the stark reality for many of his peers, writes Donal Maguire
Painter, Gerry Davis is the 2016 recipient of the National Gallery of Ireland’s prestigious Hennessy Portrait Prize.
The competition’s third winner, Davis, an emerging artist, takes his place alongside the award’s previous and more established recipients Nick Miller (2014) and Vera Klute (2015). The judge’s selection of an emerging artist for the 2016 award was viewed by many observers as a relatively brave and welcome one and seen to demonstrate the merit of the prize’s open call format, which places an emphasis on the artistic quality of a submission over the reputation of its creator. Davis’ portrait of his friend and fellow artist Sean Guinan is certainly one of quality and the additional prize of a €5,000 commission to paint a new portrait for the National Portrait Collection will undoubtedly enhance his reputation too (Fig 2).
Peter Murray recalls the independent spirit Edith Blake, diarist and artist and one-time occupant of Myrtle Grove, Youghal, County Cork
While working as an intern at the NPA Mike Bors gained access to a remarkable collection created by talented amatuer, Sir Robert Ball, astromoner and scientific adviser to the Commissioners of Irish Lights
Peter Pearson welcomes a new chapter in the management of Johnstown Castle, County Wexford