Press release 29/11/2017
JACK HICKEY announced as winner of the HENNESSY PORTRAIT PRIZE 2017
Cork born artist Jack Hickey has been announced as the winner of the 2017 Hennessy Portrait Prize. Hickey was awarded the prize of €15,000 for his work entitled ‘My Time’ at a glittering reception yesterday evening (Tuesday 28 November) in the Grand Gallery of the National Gallery of Ireland. He will also receive a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection.
Two highly commended artists were also announced. They are; David Hamilton, for his portrait ‘Cormac’ (acrylic on canvas, 43x32cm), and Myra Jago, for her portrait ‘Reflection’ (oil on gesso panel, 40x30cm).
Jack Hickey is a graduate of the Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. Speaking about his winning portrait, ‘My Time’, he says: “the open space in the work represents the distance between individuals, the unsaid and the unrequited. It is an example of the void inherent in a modern socially fractured world, where true human contact has become elusive, almost impossible. They strive to show the hole at the centre, the empty room within, the point where unease begins.”
The 24 shortlisted artists chosen by the 2017 judging panel, comprising James Hanley, Niamh MacNally, Patrick T. Murphy and Dr Yvonne Scott, will have their works exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland until 25 February, 2018. Admission is free. An accompanying catalogue, edited by Claire Crowley and Brendan Rooney (NGI), includes commentaries by the individual artists, and is available from the Gallery Shop, price €5.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Dr Yvonne Scott, Director, TRIARC, TCD, commented: “Congratulations to Jack Hickey for his winning portrait ‘My Time’, and to the highly commended artists, David Hamilton and Myra Jago for their portraits respectively. Their work evoked for us the complexity of their sitters with insight – sensitivity without sentimentality. However, the standard of the artworks overall made this a difficult if rewarding exercise for all of us on the judging panel.”
Elaine Cullen, Market Development Manager for Moët Hennessy said: “It has been a privilege to be involved in this year’s Hennessy Portrait Prize and to see such incredible works from the shortlisted artists. I would like to add my congratulations to our winner Jack Hickey, and highly commended artists David Hamilton and Myra Jago.”
Open to Irish artists living in Ireland or resident overseas, the aim of the portrait prize is to showcase and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture, and to raise the profile of the National Portrait Collection at the National Gallery of Ireland.
Edward Dillon, distributors of Hennessy in Ireland also confirmed today that its term as title sponsor of the Portrait Prize has come to its end. According to Andy O’Hara, CEO of Edward Dillon, “Through the Hennessy Portrait Prize we have worked to showcase and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture, and to raise the profile of the National Portrait Collection. It has been an excellent partnership and has helped us to continue our long tradition of supporting and nurturing Irish talent within arts for over 45 years in Ireland. As the market evolves and changes we continuously review our strategy but we will continue the brand’s legacy in Ireland with artistic collaborations.”
Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “The National Gallery of Ireland, with the support of Hennessy, has been delighted to establish a portrait prize. Works by all four winners, including the artist awarded the prize this year, are currently on display at the Gallery. We look forward to unveiling the winner’s commissioned portrait early next year. We eagerly anticipate the portrait prize continuing next year with a new partner. I would like to thank Hennessy for their commitment over the last four years.”
Previous winners of the Hennessy Portrait Prize are Nick Miller (2014), Vera Klute (2015) and Gerry Davis (2016).