Painting of a man sitting on a park bench wearing a grey jacket. He is holding two toddlers, both wearing pink knitted hats, hats, blue jackets and boots. — Silke Semmler Marin, Radiant Seasons. © Silke Semmler Marin. Photo, National Gallery of Ireland.

Silke Semmler Marin

Radiant Seasons, 2026

Age 14

Oil on canvas

‘This portrait shows my father, my older sister and me during my first ‘Easter Egg hunt’. Although this painting feels nostalgic, it’s also full of warmth and life — my father’s smile and embrace, the bright knitted hats, my sister and me enjoying our chocolate, and the sense of family.

I called my painting Radiant Seasons because it reflects the brightness of both the season of spring and childhood. I wanted to capture a timeless moment during my childhood, when time felt slower. The title also suggests every season of life has its own radiance, even if everything is fleeting.’

Séasúir Shona, 2026

Aois 14

Olaphictiúr ar chanbhás

‘Tá m’athair, mo dheirfiúr níos sine agus mé féin le feiceáil sa phortráid seo agus tá taitneamh á bhaint againn ar mo chéad ‘Tóraíocht Uibheacha Cásca’. Ainneoin go bhfuil an pictiúr seo lán le cumha, tá cineáltas agus beocht ann freisin — an meangadh gáire ar aghaidh m’athar agus barróg á tabhairt aige dom, na hataí cniotáilte geala, mo dheirfiúr agus mé féin ag baint taitneamh as seacláid, agus an tuiscint ar an rud is teaghlach ann.

Séasúir Shona a bhaist mé ar mo phictiúr de bhrí go dtugtar léargas ann ar ghile shéasúr an earraigh agus na hóige. Bhí mé ag iarraidh nóiméad ó bhlianta m’óige a léiriú a mhairfidh go deo, nuair a bhí an t-am ag sleamhnú thart níos moille. Tugann an teideal le fios freisin go bhfuil loinnir ag baint le gach séasúr den saol, fiú amháin má shleamhnaíonn an t-am thart go tapa.’