ADMIRED ADVOCATES TO APPEAR IN LINENHALL SHOWCASE

These portraits are of campaigners, or their advocates, who find themselves marginalised, ostracised, vilified or disbelieved, and have told their own story, making a positive contribution to Irish society, usually through activism, advocacy or through the courts.

“I began painting the series in response to the well-known expression that ‘history is written by thevictorious’. I want to counter this by depicting people who are working against the established viewsand writing their own history. Those who normally have portraits painted are usually part of the élite,politicians, CEOs and archbishops. Simply painting a portrait of an ordinary person is an act ofdefiance.”

Catherine Corless, the historian who uncovered the Tuam mother and baby home tragedy, was the first person to agree to be portrayed. That portrait was purchased by the National Gallery of Ireland for its permanent collection, however is being borrowed to feature in the exhibition.

Others such as Vicky Phelan, (d. 14-11-22) the women’s health activist who uncovered the cervical smear scandal,joined the list. MacCormaic continued, “My portrait of the refugee rights activist Lucky Khambule won best portrait at the RHA in 2023. Also included are two portraits of people who were affected by the anti-morning sickness pill in the 1960s. The twin portrait of Martin and Peggy Murphy (d.2025) and Finola Cassidy, the spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, which continues the longest running campaign by far in the series, at over 60 years. The collection features Annie Murphy, former lover of Bishop Eamon Casey, Martin Collins, Traveller activist and the three Kavanagh sisters, survivors of child sexual abuse.”

Those working on the legacy of The Troubles are also recognised, including Paddy Armstrong of the Guilford Four, wrongly incarcerated for 15 years. Relatives of victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings are represented by Margaret Urwin, who although not related to any, is the main driver behind Justice for the Forgotten.

This ambitious project began in May 2021 and the final painting is a now posthumous portrait of Sister Stan (19/June/1939 - 3/Nov/2025) which was completed in 2026.

Those who turned to violence to achieve their goals are excluded from the series. Touring Ireland, The Vanquished Writing History, first exhibited at the RHA in February 2025, runs at the Linenhall until Saturday, April 11th, and The Marketplace Arts Centre, Armagh in January 2027.

The Linenhall’s Visual Art Gallery exhibitions are selected via an open call process with a peer review panel of independent artists who select submissions over a 2-year period. Forming the Selection Panel are Alice Maher, Joanna Hopkins, Pat Harris, Bryan Gerard Duffy and Nuala Clarke, generous contributors of their time and expertise. Presentation of the highest calibre works are ensured, helping make a gallery programme that offers the community meaningful access to outstanding art, drawn from a broad and diverse spectrum of artistic voices, possible.

The exhibition runs at the Linenhall until Saturday,11th April 2026.