Artists paint the stars for UNICEF Ireland

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 portrait 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.

“The work emphasises his height and stature and is influenced by his roles in Schindler’s List, Michael Collins and most recently Kinsey,” Mr Redmond said. “But I also wanted to show the full spectrum of his personality, from the strong and the serious to the relaxed and light-hearted. If you look at it for a while, you will see different details emerge,” he said.

Janet King from South Africa set out to capture the essence of Pierce Brosnan’s moody screen persona in her 60cm by 60cm oil portrait of the James Bond star, guiding price at €2,000.

“Every day, I’ve looked into his eyes and asked what he’s thinking. He just stares back at me with that moody, sultry look. I hope he doesn’t feel like I have taken advantage of him,” she said.

Fionnuala Collins used shadows and light subtly to portray Gabriel Byrne’s psychological and artistic profile in her €2,000 guide priced 50cm by 40cm work in oil and acrylic.

“Gabriel’s dark, intense eyes haunt us with the promise that if we stare long enough we might discover the source of intrigue behind his eyes.”

The portraits form part of a large collection of works donated by artists to be sold in aid of UNICEF Ireland at the art fair in the RDS.

UNICEF Ireland executive director Maura Quinn paid tribute to the artists and Art Ireland for allowing them raise funds at their event. “We are very grateful for the continued commitment of Pierce, Gabriel and Liam to our work and their association with us helps us draw attention to and provide assistance for the poorest children in the world,” she said.