Jonathan Dickson

Theo (almost) hiding behind a tree in the Phoenix Park, 2026

Oil on canvas 

‘This painting is of my son. The location is of great emotional attachment. My parents played there as children, as did I, and I spent a lot of time there with my young family. I noticed that the intensity of my children’s presence when playing hide and seek was the same whether they were in full view or not, which made me question what a portrait is and can be. Our perception of a loved one almost needs no visual cue. It exists inside us.’

Theo i bhfolach (beagnach) taobh thiar de chrann i bPáirc an Fhionnuisce, 2026

Olaphictiúr ar chanbhás

‘Is pictiúr de mo mhac é seo. Baineann suntas mothúchánach leis an suíomh seo. Bhíodh sé de nós ag mo thuismitheoirí am a chaitheamh ag spraoi ansin, agus agam féin freisin, agus chaith mé go leor ama ann le mo theaghlach óg. Thug mé faoi deara go raibh déine láithreacht mo leanaí, nuair a bhí siad ag imirt folach bíog, mar an gcéanna is cuma má bhí siad le feiceáil go hiomlán agam nó nach raibh. Spreag sé sin mise chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar an rud is portráid ann agus ar an rud a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i bportráid. Is ar éigean go bhfuil leid amhairc ag teastáil chun duine muinteartha a shamhlú. Tá cumas inmheánach againn an duine sin a shamhlú.’

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