As one of the five judges assigned to pick the winner of 'This is Art!' - a national competition ran by RTÉ and the Creative Ireland - I am delighted to announce that Hannah Hurley has won top prize in the 16-18 age category. The talented student from Cobh has been nationally recognised for her artwork with a striking portrait of her grandad.
Hannah's painting, titled 'The Warrior' seriously impressed judges, who described the striking piece as "touching" and even said it made them emotional.
“This portrait depicts my granda, Denis, on St. Patrick’s Day," said Hannah.
"Besides everything else that was against the older generation in 2020, his wife, my grandmother passed away this year and I believe that struggle is clear in this painting, however silent he can be sometimes.
"The novelty hat he wears for Patrick's Day instantly made me smile, but it sits above a muted image of a man suffering his own battle. Hannah's piece is poignant, gentle and beautifully executed, successfully capturing a nation's pain in a single expression. Stunning work.”
Almost 9,000 young people from around the country responded with creativity, enthusiasm and great thoughtfulness to the theme of This Is Now.