Two local artists shortlisted for Zurich Young Portrait Prize

Two local artists have made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Young Portrait Prize.

The National Gallery of Ireland announced that Adam Wiercioch Chinatamunnee and Pierre Gaultier Swords are amongst the 20 artists aged between four and eighteen years old to progress in the high profile competition.

Adam's artwork entitled 'My Father' is a collage made of mixed media, gelli prints, marker, and newspaper on paper.

Meanwhile Pierre Gaultier Swords (6) portrait is entitled, 'My Brother Noah, water based crayons and acrylic paint on paper.

Despite their tender ages, both Adam and Pierre are accustomed to success in art competitions.

Pierre from Moynehall won the Zurich Young Portrait Prize category for ages 0-6 and had his incredible self portrait displayed in the National Gallery.

Last year Adam's still life painting of a bowl fruit won a Special Merit Award in the Texaco 2022 competition. The seven year old who attends St. Patrick's National School, Loch Gowna, also had his excellent work selected for the 2023 Texaco Children’s Art Competition Calendar.

This is the fifth year of the Zurich Young Portrait Prize, a competition that showcases the artistic talent of young people from across Ireland. Five winners (one from each respective age category and an overall winner) will be selected from a shortlist of hundreds of entries from young people aged four to 18.

Winners will receive a bespoke art box and a cash prize. The overall competition winner will be awarded a personalised wooden box of high-quality art materials and a cash prize of €500. All twenty shortlisted entrants will have their artwork professionally framed/prepared. This year’s Zurich Young Portrait Prize judges are: Jessica O’Donnell, Head of Education and Community Outreach, Hugh Lane Gallery, Ola Majekodunmi, writer, broadcaster and producer, and Tom McLean, visual artist and curator.

Exhibitions of the shortlisted works in both competitions run at the National Gallery of Ireland from December 2 to March 10.

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said, “With the annual Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize, our aim is to showcase the work of Irish artists and encourage an interest in contemporary Irish portraiture. Each year, the artists shortlisted demonstrate an incredible breadth of Irish artistic talent.”