Beverley Healy

The Known and the Unknown - (Elsa and Carlton), 2025

Egg tempera and pencil on vegan gesso panel 

‘This diptych features married couple Elsa and Carlton who appear separate, but also together. We met in a church community, where I was drawn to their care for one another and prayerful hope through difficult circumstances. We discussed our shared faith and personal memories. Elsa highlighted her love of hydrangeas, their recurrent blooming symbolising renewal. Carlton recollected the colourful crotons of his Jamaican childhood, typically representing joy and strength against adversity. This portrait quietly suggests a life known and a life beyond this world.’

Aithnid agus Anaithnid - (Elsa and Carlton), 2025

Teampara uibhe agus peann luaidhe ar phainéal gesso veigeáin (diptic) 

‘Tugtar léargas sa diptic seo ar lánúin phósta, Elsa agus Carlton, atá scartha óna chéile agus lena chéile ag an am céanna. Casadh orm iad i bpobal eaglaise, áit ar mheall an aire a thug siad dá chéile agus a ndóchas cráifeach nuair a bhí an saol crua, mise ina dtreo. Chaitheamar am ag caint is ag comhrá faoinár gcreideamh agus cuimhní cinn pearsanta. Labhair Elsa faoi na bláthanna a thaitin léi, hiodrainsianna, agus faoin gcaoi go mbíodh siad faoi bhláth bliain i ndiaidh bliana, siombail athnuachana. Labhair Carlton faoin mbalsam ildaite a bhíodh ag fás go flúirseach in Iamáice i rith a óige, siombail d’áthas agus láidreacht ainneoin na ndeacrachtaí. Tugtar léargas ciúin sa phortráid seo ar shaol a bhí ar eolas agus ar shaol i ndomhan éigin eile.’

Go back to the shortlisted works