Ian Cumberland was born in 1983 and lives and works in Belfast. Solo Exhibitions include: Albemarle Gallery, London, 2008. Group Exhibitions: Dean Gallery of the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 2009/2010, Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, Waring Street, Belfast, 2009, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2009. Awards include: KPMG Emerging Artist Award, (RUA) 2009, John & Rachael Turner Award, University of Ulster, 2006. Ian’s work is held in the following Collections: Koç Holdings, Istanbul, Art Council Northern Ireland, University of Ulster Collection. Artist Statement: I don't have a lot to say about this painting apart from it came about from pure chance. It is what it is, nothing more and nothing less.

Michael Bell was born in 1964 and lives and works in Belfast. Recent Exhibitions include: Faces: An Exhibition of Portraits, Naughton Gallery, Belfast and Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, 2009, Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, Waring Street, Belfast, 2009, Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, Ely Place Dublin, 2007. Awards include: Emer Gallery Prize for The Best Self-Portrait in any medium, RUA, 2004. Michael’s work is held in the following Collections: Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Private Collections. Artist Statement: This commission proposal for the eponymous local barrister draws inspiration from Jonathan Yeo's portrait of Paul Boteng. The pose is ambiguous. The sitter might be shaking a dice or listening. Sometimes preparatory sketches stand alone and painting them up becomes like explaining the joke. This sketch satisfied my two professional desiderata: viz. it works as an abstract non-representational form yet is a recognised likeness with physical presence. The style is a reaction against the current fad for photorealist, epidiascope-generated, oversized, coloured canvases popularly mistaken for portraits; a procession of the bland leading the bland. The epidiascope banishes the "hand of God" and if substance is a sine qua non of realism these images are ironically quite unrealistic. Completism is as attractive on canvas as it is in conversation.

Comhghall Casey was born in 1976 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Solomon Fine Art, Dublin, 2009, Emer Gallery, Belfast, 2008 and Solomon Gallery, Dublin, 2007. Group Exhibitions include: Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, Dublin, 2009, Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, Waring Street, Belfast, 2009, Make Straight For The Shore, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, 2008. Awards include: Hennessy Craig Scholarship, RHA Annual Exhibition, 2008, Emer Gallery Prize, Best Self-Portrait, RUA Annual Exhibition, 2006, Emer Gallery Prize, Best Self-Portrait, RUA Annual Exhibition, 2002, Fellowship, The Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle, Co.Mayo, 2002, Nominated, Victor Treacy Award, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, 2000. Comhghall’s work is held in the following Collections: Ulster Museum, Axa Insurance, Office of Public Works, Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, Ballinglen Arts Foundation Archive and Private Collections. Artist Statement: This is a portrait of my friend and fellow artist Keith Wilson. I have been producing self-portraits regularly since my early years. In 2006 I began a series of portrait head studies of other sitters. This is the fifth of these works which I have completed and shown. As I work from life, a considerable dedication of time and effort is required on the part of the sitter. The finished work is very much the result of collaboration between painter and subject. I am continuing to develop this area of my practice.

Carey Clarke was born in 1936 and lives and works in Dublin. Exhibitions include: Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 1996, Solomon Gallery, Dublin, 1990. A major retrospective of his work spanning fifty years is planned for the Royal Hibernian Academy Gallagher Gallery, Dublin in October 2011. Portrait Commissions include: Albert Reynolds, former Taoiseach, Tom Murphy, playwright, the very Rev. Maurice Stewart, Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dr Patrick Masterson, President, University College Dublin, Dr Garrett Fitzgerald, Chancellor of National University of Ireland. Artist Statement: Before I began to paint a portrait of my friend Mrs. Mary Gardiner, she explained that she did not want her portrait to concentrate exclusively on an image of herself but wanted it to be inclusive of a relaxed and informal pictorial arrangement. In thinking about this and while relaxing over a glass of wine with her in my home, I saw the possibility of painting an image that would work for me and would meet her criteria. The successful outcome is what you see.

Con Cremin was born in 1975 and lives and works in Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork. Solo Exhibitions include: Paintings, The Black Mariah Gallery, Cork City, 2008, 10 Paintings, The Black Mariah Gallery, Cork City, 2007 and Horizon Lines, The Shaw Gallery, Cork City, 2007. Group Exhibitions include: 178th Annual Exhibition’ Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, 2009, Black Mariah, The Black Mariah, Istanbul, Turkey, 2009, Davy Portrait Awards 2008’ Naughton Gallery at Queen’s Belfast & Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, 2008. Artist Statement: I find that Billy’s face and expression tend to pose more questions than answers. One is confronted by a face of character and in this painting I tried to convey a sense of him, looking towards you, staring, confronting the viewer. The lack of narrative, time and place, I hope, creates a role reversal...for the viewer to feel Billy is actually scrutinizing them.

Daniel Mark Duffy was born in 1961 and lives and works in Newtown, Connecticut & Dublin, Ireland. Exhibitions include: Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC, 2010, NUDE, Tramyard Gallery, Dalkey, Ireland, 2009, Davy Portrait Award Exhibition, Naughton Gallery at Queen’s Belfast & Farmleigh House, Dublin, 2008, Royal Hibernian Academy of Art, Dublin, Annual Exhibition, 2008, Paier College of Art, Hamden, CT, Faculty Exhibition, 2009. Daniel’s work is held in the following Collections: The Health Service Executive (HSE), Dublin, Ireland, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC, United States Supreme Court, Washington, DC, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut, New York University, Stern School of Business, New York, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, University of Delaware, Nabisco Inc., New Jersey. Artist Statement: When I walked into her house, as I had countless times over the years, she was sitting in her chair surrounded by nearly a century of memories. Margaret, her daughter, welcomed me with the trust and familiarity reserved for family. Helen Tevlin was 93 years old and her age defied the perspective of a younger generation. I sat with Helen for a while as she emotionally recalled the day my father, alone at 14, left for America. We spoke of her life, her family, and eventually about the portrait I wanted to create. Her enthusiasm with the idea of posing unclothed was not at all surprising.

Carmel was born in 1966 and lives and works in Co. Wexford. Solo Exhibitions include: Grey Scales, Brandon House, New Ross, 2009. Group Exhibitions include: Self liberation and desire, New Ross, Co. Wexford, 2004, Snap Shots, Wexford Art Centre, 2003, Periphery, Brandon House, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, 2000, Lions Club, Wexford Art Centre 2000, Iontas, Small works exhibition, Sligo, 2000. Artist Statement: The portrait is of a friend ‘Jamie’ it is an allegorical portrait. I was attracted by the contrast between Jamie’s contemplative composure, the signs of his identity, the unruly landscape and the sky. I was also inspired by Piero della Francesca’s diptych of the Duchess and Duke of Urbino.

Graham Flack was born in 1962 and lives and works in Edinburgh. Exhibitions include: Royal Scottish Academy, Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh, 2009, Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize Exhibition, London, 2009, Festival, Union Gallery, Edinburgh, 2009, Royal Glasgow Institute, Glasgow, 2008, Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, Belfast, 2008, 10 Decades exhibition (eca), City Arts Centre, 2007. Awards include: The Bessie Scott Prize, Paisley Art Institute, 2008, The Sally Schofield Memorial Prize, Visual Arts Scotland, 2008, Art Exposure Prize, Royal Glasgow Institute, 2007, ASPECT Prize, short listed artist, 2006, BP Portrait Award, 3rd Prize winner, 2003. Graham’s work is held in the following Collections: Michael Adam collection, Chelsea Art Gallery, San Francisco, Tempest Radford, London, Robert Carlyle Collection, Edinburgh College of Art Collection, Scottish Office Collection, Arthur Bell Collection, Union Advertising Agency, Edinburgh, Sheilagh Tennant Collection. Artist Statement: For me there is something ‘other-worldly’ about working in black and white which I believe creates a stronger image. The mark-making works to bring internal emotions to the surface, and the layering, with the ebb and flow of building up and then obliterating the image before bringing it back, gives physical depth to Corin’s head – a more sculptural, iconic strength. The viewer is captured and drawn into the subject’s gaze and placing Corin against a stark background means that the focus is not elsewhere but remains at all times on the figure and with what is going on both internally and externally.

Alan Freney was born in 1979 and lives and works in Bray, County Wicklow. Exhibitions include: Davy Portrait Awards, Naughton Gallery, Belfast & Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, 2009, Group show, Cherrylane Gallery, 2009, Group show, Blue Leaf Gallery, 2009, Expressions and Revelations, Covent Garden London, 2009. Artist Statement: The painting is a self-portrait, basically last year after splitting up with my girlfriend I started painting a wall in my house with all this different graffiti. There’s different song lyrics and poetry, the girl was Spanish and used to call me Picasso, she worked cooking burgers in a diner so people called her Spongebob, so to clear up that part the last time we spoke was to say adios Spongebob adios Picasso.

James Hanley was born in 1965 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Moving Statues, Ashford Gallery, RHA, Dublin, 2005, Souvenirs, Solomon Gallery, Dublin, 2004, Paper Tigers, Stalking Horses, Hallward Gallery, Dublin, 1999. Group Exhibitions include: Faces, OPW Touring Exhibition, 2009, RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin, 2009, Mick O'Dea Selects, Lavitt Gallery Cork, 2009. Awards include: Member of Aosdana & the Royal Hibernian Academy. James’ work is held in the following Collections; Irish Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Ireland, Arts Council of Ireland, National Self-Portrait Collection. Artist Statement: The majority of my commissioned work falls under the category of official portraits. They therefore tend to be formal, relatively large in scale and usually have specific expectations regarding their place in the commissioning organisation's building, the historical context and the physical elements included in the painting. Nine times out of ten the sitter is male, and usually at retirement age or thereabouts. This suits my style, as I am genuinely interested in both history and tradition and find that older faces can offer many enjoyable possibilities in approach, lighting and application of paint. Being asked to paint Cristiana by her husband John for her birthday gave me the fortunate opportunity, for a change, to paint a young and beautiful woman. Cristiana's elegance and her own dramatic colouring immediately engage the eye to the extent that only the simplest of creamy gold backgrounds was needed to create what I hope is a timeless image.

Aiofe Hand was born in 1979 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Absence, Heart, Fonder, Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow, 2010. Group Exhibitions include: The Sense of Cycling, Unitarian Church, Cork, 2009, Frame, Siamsa Gallery, Kerry, 2009. Artist Statement: This painting of my 5-year-old niece is from a series of works inspired by wabi sabi, a Japanese philosophy concerned with impermanence and asymmetry. I seek beauty in the ordinary: my dual aims are both to contemplate the universality of the human form and to pay homage to the uniqueness of the individual. In this study, I endeavoured to capture the truth of a fleeting gesture, from the sprinkle of freckles to the sheen on tiny fingernails. The creation of these images allows me to meditate on the perfection that exists in nature, even in perceived flaws.

Emmet Kierans was born in 1981 and lives and works in Limerick City. Solo Exhibitions include: Arts Projects, London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, London, 2009, Traits and Stains, The Crow Gallery, Dublin, 2008, Disconnected, The Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, 2008. Group Exhibitions include: How do you know? Blankspace Gallery, Oakland CA, USA, 2009, The UK's Future Greats, Salon Gallery, London, 2008, The State, Glasgow International, The State Bar, Glasgow, 2008. Awards include: Arts Council of Ireland, Travel & Training Award, 2009, Golden Fleece Award, Shortlisted Artist, 2009, Arts Council of Ireland, Bursary Award, 2008, Arts Council of Ireland, Travel & Training Award, 2008. Emmet’s work is held in the following collections; Office of Public Works and numerous private collections. Artist Statement: I'm interested in metamorphosis and the fluidity of identity, something that is particularly evident during the formative years. The character portrayed is made from an amalgamation of different facial features, a collage of different traits. I try to make the characters strange but sympathetic. Some of the features are accentuated, attenuated or deformed to heighten the response from the viewer. The character is painted in an imprecise, gestural manner that echoes the inherent themes of identity.

Vera Klute was born in 1981 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Finish your plate, Wexford Arts Centre, 2009, Why stop now? the LAB, Dublin, 2006. Group Exhibitions include: Force Majeure, The LAB, Dublin, 2009, How Do You Know?, Blankspace Gallery, Oakland, California, 2009, Dare to live without limits, Pallas Contemporary Projects at the Sub-Urban Video Lounge, Rotterdam, 2009. Awards include: Emerging Visual Artist Award, Wexford Arts Centre, 2009, Arts Council Bursary Award, 2008/2009, Emerging Artist Award, Stranger than fiction, The Gallery, Newry, 2007. Artist Statement: Even though the portrait ‘Get it off your chest (Oliver)’ is painted in a realistic manner it is not intended as an accurate representation. The subject has been stripped of his hair as well as eyebrows and lashes in favour of giving an intimate look at the ‘naked’ flesh and skin. The placement of the subject and the use of the surrounding space create an unbalance in the painting, drawing the attention to what might be happening at the edge of the picture frame.

Miseon Lee was born in Korea in 1959 and now lives and works in Limerick. Solo Exhibitions include: Limerick Faces, Gerogian House Limerick, 2008, Sweat and Sweet, Gerogian House, Limerick, 2008. Group Exhibitions include: Gallery 75, Limerick, 2008, Limerick City Hall Gallery, 2008. Artist Statement: For a long time, I was an expressionistic painter. But soon, I witnessed the limit of my faculties and abandoned my love for art. After my long wandering, (I realised that my instinct weren't there to be left idle) I restarted from where I left off, extremely realistic and classical portraits. While painting portraits, I concentrated on showing the character's inner most self.

Nick Miller was born in 1962 and lives and works in Co Sligo. Solo Exhibitions include: Truckscapes -paintings, New York Studio School, New York, 2008, Truckscapes -drawings from a mobile studio, Limerick City Gallery, Rubicon Gallery Dublin, Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, 2007-2009, Standing Sitting Lying -watercolour, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin, 2007. Group Exhibitions include: Conversations -Nick Miller & Alexis Harding, Rubicon Gallery, 2009, Into Irish Drawing, Curated by Arno Kramer. Limerick City Gallery/ Aktuele Kunst, Henglo ,Netherlands/ Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris/Millenium Court Arts Centre, 2009-2010, Singing The Real, Curated by Patrick T Murphy. IZIKO, National, Gallery of South Africa, Capetown. SA, 2007. Nick’s work is held in the following Collections: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Irish Life PLC, RTE, The Arts Council (Ireland), Independent Newspapers, The National Drawing Collection (Limerick Municipal Collection), The Niland Collection, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Boyle Civic Collection, Dublin Institute of Technology, Allied Irish Bank , Bank of Ireland, The Irish Permanent, Ulster Bank, Anglo Irish Bank (Dublin). Fundacion Privada Sorigue, (Lleida, Spain) European Investment Bank (Luxembourg). Artist Statement: As a close neighbour and friend of the painter, Barrie Cooke for over 16 years on Lough Arrow in Co Sligo, we were, and continue to be, curious visitors to each other's studios. Over that time, I made three portraits of him; this is most recent, made on his first visit to my studio after my move north of Sligo. At 78, his continued vitality as an artist, painter and subject are inspirational.

John Murphy was born in 1979 and lives and works in Limerick. Solo Exhibitions: James Adam & Sons, Dublin, 2007,and James Adam & Sons, Dublin, 2005. Group Exhibitions include: Christmas Show, Frederick Gallery, Dublin, 2004, Limerick Art Society, Limerick, 1998. Artist Statement: This portrait is of the artist's mother, Kitty. It is painted from several sittings in their family home. Shortly after completion, Kitty was diagnosed with a terminal illness and has since died. The artist felt his mother could always 'read him like a book', he tried to capture this aspect of her personality by painting her with that knowing gaze that she had in her everyday surroundings.

Colin McMaster was born in 1977 and lives and works in London. Solo Exhibitions include: Chronicles, Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 2008. Merchant Hotel, Belfast, 2007. Group Exhibitions include: English National Ballet, 2009, London ArtMosh, Shoreditch Studios, 2008. Awards include: Winner of the Royal Ulster Academy Student Prize, 1999, Ulster Museum. Colin’s work is held in the following Collections: BDO Stoy Hayward Accountancy Firm, Belfast, Carson McDowell Solicitors, Belfast and Lacuna Developments, Holywood. Artist Statement: ‘Nancy’ may appear simple, caricatured realism, but I tried to combine aspects of popular culture with those of classical portraiture. I wanted the subject returning your gaze in a playful manner. Stylistically, comic books, magazine advertisements, 19th Century European painting and Pop Art influence me. The symmetry and smoothness of the picture surface and the mannequin-like quality of the figure heightens the feeling of artifice and blurs our sense of looking at a painted image. I worked on walnut wood, framed in linen – a reversal of the standard materials traditionally used.

Eoin Mac Lochlainn was born in 1959 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Elegies, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, 2009, Caoineadh, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, 2009, Dearcadh, The Paul Kane Gallery, Dublin, 2008. Group Exhibitions include: Rua Red Summer Show, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, 2009, Drawing Éire Invited, Beijing, China, 2009, Boyle Arts Festival, Co. Roscommon, 2008. Awards include: Winner of The Golden Fleece Award, 2008. Eoin’s work is held in the following Collections: AIB, Bank of Ireland, Office of Public Works, Revenue Commissioners, Gael Linn, Wesley College, Donegal County Council. Artists Statement: Joe is an ordinary Joe. He was recently made redundant and now faces an uncertain future. More uncertain than before, that is. He worries a lot, but then again, he was always a worrier. He worries about the state of the country, about the world, about global warming, about countries invading other countries, about the unfortunate people who get caught up in the conflicts, about torture victims and refugees, about the children who lose their parents, about the parents who lose their children, and he sometimes feels helpless, powerless but, strangely enough, he’s never quite hopeless. Joe is an artist.

Cian McLoughlin was born in 1977 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Camden Town and the Aisling Project, Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 2008, No Colour, No Colour, Beckett Solo Show, Office of Public Works, Dublin, 2006, Six People, Two Places, Blue Leaf Gallery, Dublin, 2004. Group Exhibitions include: The F Word, Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 2007, RHA, Summer Exhibition, Dublin, 2004 & 2007, BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2005. Cian’s work is held in the following Collections: Gate Theatre, Shelbourne Hotel, Croke Park. Artist Statement: This is a self-portrait. It was done over a course of a winter. I do a lot of self-portraits. It's not just the old reasons of cheap labour and constant availability that keep sending me back to the mirror. They're also a good vehicle to try new things.

Mick O’Dea was born in 1958. He has exhibited widely in Ireland, Latvia, the UK, USA and Spain. In 2004 he exhibited Audience, a series of portraits, with the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery. This show travelled to the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise in 2005. Awards include: Arnotts National Portrait Awards 1985, 1989, 1993 & 1994. KMPG Award, Annual Oireachtas Exhibition, 1992 &1998, ESB Keating McLoughlin Medal Annual RHA Exhibition, 1993. Taylor de Vere Award for a Work of Distinction in any medium at the Annual RHA Exhibition in 1995 & 1996. He was elected an ARHA in 1993 and in 1996 he was elected an RHA and a member of Aosdána. Mick’s work is held in the following Collections: The Arts Council of Ireland, The Royal Hibernian Academy, The National Gallery of Ireland, The Crawford Municipal Gallery in Cork, The Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Limerick, The National Self-Portrait Collection, The National Drawing Collection, Limerick City Gallery, Clare County Council, GPA Shannon, The Office of Public Works, The Cesis Museum of Art in Latvia, Jury’s Hotel Group, St Patrick’s Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital, the Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Donegal County Council, Electricity Supply Board, Department of An Taoiseach, Government Buildings and Fingal County Council.

Will O’Kane was born in 1979 and lives and works in Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: The Lure of Presentiment, Linenhall Arts Centre, 2009, Control Group, Couch Gallery, Cork, 2009, We Can Always Turn, Ballina Arts Centre, 2008. Group Exhibitions include: Summer Show, Rua Red, Tallaght, Dublin, 2009 Bogota 08 Esto No Es Una Galeria, Colombia, 2008, City of Strangers, Tulca Visual Arts Festival, Galway, 2007. Artist Statement: This painting is a representation of my friend Fionnuala. She posed for photographs and drawings in London in early May of last year. The work then was finished in the studio. The picture is meant to be taken as an idea of her, not a capturing. The sitter’s gaze and stern expression as well as the use of colour aim to convey her grace and strength. As a genre portraiture brings with it much historical baggage but appeals to me, as a contemporary artist, as a means of mapping the human psyche.

Francis O’Toole was born in 1978 and lives and works in Dublin and Florence, Italy. Solo Exhibitions include: Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow, Ireland, 2010. Group Exhibitions include: Cherrylane Fine Arts-Summer/Winter, Wicklow, 2009, Davy Portrait Awards, Naughton Gallery, Belfast & Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, 2008, R.H.A, Dublin, 2008. Francis’ work is held in private collections in Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, U.K, U.S.A. Artist Statement: ‘She sees green’ is the result of an idea that I am currently exploring; I wanted to paint a model whose look was similar to a girl from the period of the Irish famine. I wish to illustrate the lack of control that we sometimes have due to circumstances emerging unexpectedly within life. This may derive from economic or emotional situations. The idea of the famine seemed to be a suitable context in which to express this. I intend to revisit this idea and incorporate other figures in order to give a greater narrative. So this painting was a search for a look, a feeling, something timeless. An exploration into human alienation within our modern society's.

Bernie Prendergast was born in 1961 and lives and works in Co. Mayo. Solo Exhibitions include: Gallery on the Green, The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 2009, Crow Gallery, Templebar, Dublin, 2009, Claremorris Town Hall, 2009. Group Exhibitions include: Lyndsay Gallery, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, 2009, Gallery Zozimus, Dublin, Christmas Show, 2008, and Lissadell Christmas Show, Sligo, 2008. Bernie’s work is held in numerous private collections throughout Ireland. Artist Statement: Michael is a retired dairy farmer in his seventies. A very tall and thin man, a gentle giant. Shy and soft spoken and like many of his generation totally unassuming. I wanted my work to portray a sense of his shy and timid personality, his careful and neat dress sense and above all to capture the character of a man who has lived his life working outdoors as a farmer. I used sensitive lines and delicate shading to portray these features. I find the charcoal medium lends itself perfectly to these requirements.

Oisín Roche was born in 1973 and lives and works in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Solo Exhibitions include: Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 2004, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin, 1996, Dublin Writers Museum, Dublin, 1994. Group Exhibitions include: BP Portrait Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2008, Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, Dublin, 1990-2008. Artist Statement: John Waters is a columnist with The Irish Times and former editor of Magill. His career began with the political/music magazine Hot Press. Waters has vociferously campaigned on fathers' rights in Ireland.

Neil Shawcross was born in 1940 and lives and works in Hillsborough, Co. Down. He exhibits regularly at the following Galleries: Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast, Royal Watercolour Society, London, Contemporary Art Fair, Olympia, London, Contemporary Art Fair, Bath, Peppercannister Gallery, Dublin: Spring Summer and Christmas since 2000. Awards include: Gallagher Portrait Prize 1966, RUA Conor Award, 1975, RUA Gold Medal, 1978, 1982, 1987, 1994, 1997, 2001, Arnolds National Portrait Award, 1990, Dublin James Adam Prize, 1998, Sandford and Leinster Galleries Award, 2006. Neil was elected a RUA Academician in 1978. Neil’s work is held in numerous private and public collections nationally and Internationally. Artist Statement: Shawcross' painting is always affectionate, often humorous, and always an act of faith. His influences are by way of the French tradition – Bonnard, Mattisse and Duffy. His reductive eye picks out characteristic, telling shapes and patterns; colours soak and spread, while lines sparingly assist the editing process.

Blaise Smith was born in 1967 and lives and works in Kilkenny. Solo Exhibitions include: Weapons, Garter Lane Arts Centre, 2009, Weapons, The Hunt Museum, 2008, Kilkenny Arts Festival, 2009, The Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, 2008. Group Exhibitions include: BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2003 & 2004, RHA Annual Exhibition, 1998 – 2008. Blaise’s work is held in the following Collections: Cork County Council, Kilkenny County Council, OPW Collection. Artist Statement: I spent about four years, on and off, in Stephen's Barracks in Kilkenny working on a suite of paintings, entitled WEAPONS. Most of the paintings were of the actual weapons themselves, tanks and guns and so forth. It dawned on me however, that the principal weapon of any army is the individual soldier. The soldier is the most sophisticated piece of equipment on the contemporary battlefield, right down to the design of their combat fatigues and equipment. The soldier is also trained to kill, (even in Ireland). There are 400 trained killers living in and around Kilkenny. Personally, I believe that's a good thing. They stand between us and the untrained killers.

Benita Stoney was born in 1954 and lives and works in Newport Co. Mayo. Solo Exhibitions include: Custom House Studios, Westport, 2010. Group Exhibitions include: BP Portrait Award, 2008-9, National Portrait Gallery, London; Wolverhampton Art Gallery; Aberdeen Art Gallery; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 2008, Mystery Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2009, Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 2004-9. Awards include: Jorgensen Fine Art Award, RHA Annual Exhibition, 2007 Benita’s work is held in the following collections; Mayo Co Council and private collections, Ireland, England, USA, Germany. Artist Statement: The portrait 'Alexander' was painted as a commission, but there was something about this solemn child that meant that I did not so much make this work as allow it to happen. This was a portrait which seemed to paint itself.

Paul Wilson was born in 1963 and lives and works in Belfast. Solo Exhibitions include: John Ross’s Belfast, 2005, John Ross’s Belfast, 2003, One Oxford Street Belfast, 2000. Group Exhibitions include: James Street Gallery, Dublin, 2009, Irish Art Now, University of Ulster, Belfast, 2008, U.T.V. Collection, Highlane Gallery, Drogheda, 2008. Paul’s work is held in the following Collections: Law Society of Northern Ireland, National Portrait Collection, University of Limerick, Irish Embassy, Copenhagen, Guinness Peat Aviation, Bass Ireland, Ulster Television, D.O.E. Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Artist Statement: This is a portrait of my younger brother, Glenn. The piece was completed between January-April 2009. I usually work on up to ten paintings simultaneously. I find that having to shift between ideas maintains a freshness and edge to my work. The portrait strives to capture my brother’s unique spirit. Depicting a likeness is just one part of the craft. The most successful portraits should lift the veil, showing a light on the soul.