Patrick Bolger

Louise Kennedy, 2022 

Photograph | Unframed 60 x 60 cm; Framed 80 x 80 cm

'Louise Kennedy is a beautifully kind and willing, if somewhat reluctant, subject. She has an authentic conviction to be herself, which is extraordinary in a world where image is often  cultivated and created. In this portrait, her face tells a story, but not the whole story. On the day this portrait was made, I felt humbled by her courage and her dignity. Her acceptance of her discomfort made her a truly compelling subject. Louise published her first book of short stories, closely followed by her debut novel, in her early fifties.’

Go back to the shortlisted works