‘Ambassadors’ sit for star portraits

IMAGINE having screen stars Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne or Liam Neeson in your sitting room. It might be a dream for many Irish women, but it could become a reality when portraits of the three go on sale at a charity exhibition next month.

Bids for the specially- commissioned portraits of the trio, all UNICEF Ireland ambassadors, will be accepted at the Art Ireland Summer Collection art fair from May 13 to 15.

The largest work is Offaly artist Willie Redmond’s three-panel portrayal of Ballymena-born actor Liam Neeson, with the main panel measuring 100cm by 70cm. The organisers have put a guide price of €3,500 on the acrylic-on-canvas piece.