A new portrait series honouring 11 influential women from Munster is set to become part of University College Cork's permanent art collection.
The portraits will be displayed in the university’s historic Aula Maxima as part of the latest edition of Accenture’s ongoing Women on Walls initiative.
The project marks a departure from earlier instalments by broadening its focus beyond academic and scientific achievement to include women who have made significant contributions to Irish society through literature, activism, health, education, and community work.
Most of the women portrayed are still living, and were nominated by the public through an open call led by UCC.
Four artists - Vera Klute, Vanessa Jones, Gerry Davis, and Julianne Guinee - have been commissioned to create the works.
Guinee, a former teacher who turned to painting following personal loss, will paint a group portrait of eight women: Dr. Evelyn Grant, Dr. Naomi Masheti, Mary Crilly, Dola Twomey, Caitríona Twomey, Brigid Carmody, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and Dr. Patricia Sheahan.
Among the individual portraits, Gerry Davis will depict acclaimed author Edna O’Brien, while Vera Klute will paint sports journalist and disability rights advocate Joanne O’Riordan and Vanessa Jones' subject is educator and reformer Nano Nagle.
Louise O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts, called the new chapter "a landmark commission," adding: "The artists chosen display deep creativity and care when considering their subjects, and it is a privilege to work with them to create works of portraiture that will shape the legacy of both these women and UCC's art collection."
Find out more about the Women On Walls project here.
