Press Release - Portrait of Adam Harris by artist Amanda Dunsmore unveiled at National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland has today unveiled a new portrait of Adam Harris, Founder of AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity. The portrait is by Amanda Dunsmore, winner of the AIB Portrait Prize in 2024. We are neurodiverse, but not every human being is Neurodivergent is a mixed media work and is now a permanent part of the National Portrait Collection. It is on display in Room 23 for all visitors to see.

Amanda Dunsmore was born in England, and has lived and worked in Ireland and Northern Ireland for over 30 years. She currently lives in Co. Clare and is a Lecturer in Fine Art at Limerick School of Art & Design, TUS. Her work in art processes explores representations of societal transformation, examining place, people and moments of political significance. Dunsmore’s contextual portraits evolve through long periods of research, and her work is presented as a series of extensive socio-political and historical projects, through video, photography, drawing, audio and sculptural installation. Central to Dunsmore’s art practice is an exploration of the potential and long-term implications of socio-political art-making and the legacy of portraiture. Dunsmore has exhibited extensively in Ireland and shown internationally since 1992.

Dunsmore won the AIB Portrait Prize in 2024 for her work ‘Lydia’ Dr Lydia Foy. The video portrait depicts Dr Lydia Foy, who in 2015 became the first person to be legally recognised by Ireland’s Gender Recognition Act. The portrait depicts Foy in her garden, for which she was awarded a Guinness World Record for growing the tallest foxglove at 3.29 metres.

Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity. In November 2026, he will commence his new role as CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. Adam founded AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as an Autistic person in Ireland. In addition to his leadership at AsIAm, Adam was appointed to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in July 2020 and serves as an Executive Council Member for Autism Europe. He is a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awardee and has sat on, and advised many government consultative and policy committees on disability rights and inclusion, which have helped shape national policies for a more inclusive society. A passionate public speaker and advocate, Adam regularly contributes to media and conferences in Ireland and overseas, engaging with a variety of stakeholders to promote greater understanding and acceptance of Autistic individuals. His work has positioned AsIAm as a cornerstone of autism advocacy in Ireland, driven by his belief that Ireland must become a country in which every Autistic person is accepted "as they are" - equal, valued and respected

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said, “It is a privilege to unveil this portrait of Adam Harris today. The origins of our National Portrait Collection date back to 1875, and it is regularly being enhanced by commissioned portraits of important figures from contemporary Irish life. Adam Harris is an inspirational figure in Irish society, working to raise awareness for countless people in Ireland and overseas. It is wonderful to have him represented on our walls with this multi-layered portrait by Amanda Dunsmore. Amanda’s AIB Portrait Prize winning portrait in 2024 was hugely popular with our visitors in the Gallery, and with many people across the world who saw it on our digital channels. We know that her strong and moving depiction of Adam Harris will be just as warmly received. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners AIB, for their invaluable support, which enables us to run the AIB Portrait and AIB Young Portrait Prize.

The artist Amanda Dunsmore, said, “After meeting Adam a couple of times in my IMMA studio, and then completing Adam’s recommended research around Autism and Neurodivergences, it became apparent to me that this portrait needed to be a full-length, life-size drawing. And as I made it, I was thinking of the potential for different layers within his portrait, different layers of words from Adam himself, and different layers of how we represent people and how we see things. In my drawings I’ve been using this process of layering papers over the last few years, in particular with the 2023 artwork Memento-Agreement. I think of Adam’s portrait not as a single plane and flat, but as multi-layered, and a space for us to view and perceive differently.”

Adam Harris said, "Being asked to sit (or in my case stand!) for the National Portrait Collection is an incredible honour particularly for an artist of the calibre of Amanda Dunsmore, whose previous work capturing equality and social justice causes have been powerful in engaging and changing public attitudes. I truly believe that representation matters and my portrait is less about me than the broader importance of reflecting the advocacy, culture and lived experiences of Ireland's Autistic community in our national cultural institutions. This is important not only in educating the public but also in ensuring Autistic people can see themselves represented in the social and cultural life of our country. The National Gallery of Ireland has been a wonderful advocate of creating the same chance for Autistic people, including through participation in AsIAm's accreditation programme, and this latest demonstration of that commitment is both humbling to me and deeply meaningful for our community."

Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB, said, “We are delighted to see the unveiling of Amanda Dunsmore’s portrait of Adam Harris for the National Portrait Collection. Adam Harris has made, and continues to make significant contributions to Irish society, and it is gratifying to see that as a result of the AIB Portrait Prize, such an important figure is now recognised in the National Gallery of Ireland. I hope generations to come will appreciate the importance of Adam Harris’ place in Irish life. My congratulations to both sitter and artist Amanda Dunsmore on this great achievement.”

The National Portrait Collection at the National Gallery of Ireland celebrates the most influential figures in Irish history. The fields of Irish endeavour represented in the National Portrait Collection range from sport, literature and broadcasting to theatre and social justice. The commission is on display at the National Gallery of Ireland in Room 23. Admission is free. To support the National Gallery of Ireland go to www.nationalgallery.ie/join-and-give

ENDS

Media contact 

  • Áine Beamish, Head of Communications at the National Gallery of Ireland, [email protected]

Notes to Editor:

About the National Gallery of Ireland:

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions housing the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive Library & Archive. Entry to the collection is free for all to enjoy, learn and be inspired. For more information see:
www.nationalgallery.ie 
Instagram & Facebook: @nationalgalleryofireland
LinkedIn: @National Gallery of Ireland

About AIB:

AIB is a leading financial services group operating predominantly in Ireland and the United Kingdom. We serve our 3.5 million customers through core business areas in Retail Banking, Capital Markets and Climate Capital. Guided by our purpose to empower people to build a sustainable future, our ambition is to be at the heart of our customers’ financial lives. With strategic priorities centred on putting customers first, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy and driving operational efficiency and resilience, we aim to deliver sustainable, long-term value to all our stakeholders, the economy and communities.

 

Portráid de Adam Harris leis an ealaíontóir Amanda Dunsmore nochta ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann

Bhuaigh Dunsmore Duais Portráide AIB 2024 
Portráid curtha leis an mBailiúchán Náisiúnta Portráidí sa Ghailearaí

Inniu, sheol Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann portráid nua de Adam Harris, Bunaitheoir agus Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin AsIAm, Carthanas Uathachais na hÉireann. Is portráid é le Amanda Dunsmore, buaiteoir Dhuais Portráide AIB in 2024. Is saothar meán measctha é Tá gach duine daonna néara-ilchineálach, ach níl gach duine daonna Néara-éagsúil, atá anois mar chuid bhuan den Bailiúchán Náisiúnta Portráidí. Tá sé ar taispeáint i Seomra 23 do gach cuairteoir le feiceáil.

Rugadh Amanda Dunsmore i Sasana, agus tá sí ina cónaí agus ag obair in Éirinn agus i dTuaisceart Éireann le breis agus 30 bliain. Tá cónaí uirthi i gCo. an Chláir faoi láthair agus is léachtóir san Mínealaín í i Scoil Ealaíne & Dearaidh Luimnigh, Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta na Sionainne. Pléann a próisis ealaíne le léirithe ar chlaochlú sochaíoch, ag scrúdú áite, daoine agus moimintí a bhfuil tábhacht pholaitiúil ag baint leo. Forbraíonn portráidí comhthéacsúla Dunsmore thar thréimhsí fada taighde, agus cuirtear a cuid oibre i láthair mar shraith tionscadal soch-pholaitiúil agus stairiúil fairsing, trí fhíseán, grianghrafadóireacht, líníocht, suiteáil fuaime agus dealbhóireachta. Lárnach i gcleachtas ealaíne Dunsmore tá iniúchadh ar na himpleachtaí féideartha agus fadtéarmacha a bhaineann le healaín shóisialta-pholaitiúil agus oidhreacht na portráidíochta. Tá saothair ar taispeáint ag Dunsmore in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta ó 1992 i leith.

Bhuaigh Dunsmore Duais Portráide AIB in 2024 as a saothar ‘Lydia’ Dr Lydia Foy. Léiríonn an portráid físe an Dr Lydia Foy, a bhí ar an gcéad duine a aithníodh go dlíthiúil faoin Acht um Inscne a Aithint in 2015. Léiríonn an portráid Foy ina gairdín. Bronnadh Taifead Domhanda Guinness uirthi as an méirín púca is airde a fhás ina gairdín ag 3.29 méadar.

Is é Adam Harris Bunaitheoir agus príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin AsIAm, Carthanas Uathachais na hÉireann. I mí na Samhna, tosóidh sé post nua mar POF Fiontraithe Sóisialta na hÉireann. Bhunaigh Adam AsIAm bunaithe ar a thaithí féin ag fás aníos mar dhuine le uathachas in Éirinn. Chomh maith lena cheannaireacht ar AsIAm, ceapadh Adam chuig Coimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas i mí Iúil 2020 agus tá sé mar Chomhalta de Chomhairle Feidhmiúcháin Autism Europe. Is dámhachtaí é ar Ghradam Fiontraíochta Sóisialta Éireann agus tá sé ina bhall de go leor coistí comhairleacha agus beartais rialtais maidir le cearta agus cuimsiú míchumais, agus tá comhairle tugtha aige dóibh, rud a chuidigh le beartais náisiúnta a mhúnlú le haghaidh sochaí níos ionchuimsithí. Mar chainteoir poiblí agus abhcóide paiseanta, bíonn Adam ag cur go rialta leis na meáin agus le comhdhálacha in Éirinn agus thar lear, ag plé le réimse páirtithe leasmhara chun tuiscint agus glacadh níos fearr le daoine a bhfuil uathachas orthu a chur chun cinn. Tá AsIAm curtha i bhfeidhm mar bunchloch abhcóideachta uathachais in Éirinn mar gheall ar a chuid oibre, á thiomáint ag a chreideamh gur cheart d'Éirinn a bheith ina tír ina nglactar le gach duine le uathachas "mar atá siad" – go cothrom, ag aithint a luach agus le ardmheas.

Dúirt an Dr Caroline Campbell, Stiúrthóir Ghailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, “Is pribhléid é an portráid seo de Adam Harris a nochtadh inniu. Bunaíodh ár mBailiúcháin Náisiúnta Portráidí siar i 1875, agus tá sé á fheabhsú go rialta le portráidí coimisiúnaithe de fhigiúirí tábhachtacha ó shaol comhaimseartha na hÉireann. Is figiúr inspioráideach é Adam Harris i socaí na hÉireann, ag obair chun feasacht a mhúscailt do líon mór daoine in Éirinn agus thar lear. Tá sé go hiontach é a bheith léirithe ar ár mballaí leis an bportráid ilsrathach seo le Amanda Dunsmore. Bhí an-tóir ar an bportráid le Amanda, a bhuaigh Duais Portráide AIB i 2024 i measc ár gcuairteoirí sa Ghailearaí - agus ar go leor daoine ar fud an domhain a chonaic é ar ár gcainéil dhigiteacha. Tá a fhios againn go gcuirfear fáilte chomh maith céanna roimh an íomhá láidir agus tochtmhar seo de chuid Adam Harris. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú chun buíochas a ghabháil lenár gcomhpháirtithe AIB, as a dtacaíocht luachmhar, a chuireann ar ár gcumas an Duais Portráide AIB agus Duais Portráide do 
Dhaoine Óga AIB a reáchtáil.”

Dúirt an t-ealaíontóir Amanda Dunsmore, "Tar éis bualadh le Adam cúpla uair i mo stiúideo in IMMA, agus ansin an taighde a mhol Adam maidir le hUathachas agus Néara-éagsúlachtaí a chur i gcríoch, bhí sé soiléir dom go raibh gá leis an bportráid seo a bheith ina líníocht lánmhéide, ar mhéid nádúrtha. Agus mé á dhéanamh, bhí mé ag smaoineamh ar an gcumas sraitheanna éagsúla a léiriú laistigh dá phortráid, sraitheanna éagsúla de fhocail Adam féin, agus sraitheanna éagsúla den chaoi a léirímid daoine agus an chaoi a bhfeicimid rudaí. Táim ag baint úsáide as próiseas páipéir a shraitheadh i mo líníochtaí le blianta beaga anuas, go háirithe leis an saothar ealaíne Memento-Agreement in 2023. Ní smaoiním ar phortráid Adam mar phlána aonair agus cothrom, ach mar rud ilchisealach, agus spás dúinn féachaint air agus a bhrath ar bhealaí difriúla."

Dúirt Adam Harris, “Is iontach an onóir dom gur iarradh orm suí (nó i mo chás féin seasamh!) don Bhailiúchán Portráidí Náisiúnta, go háirithe d’ealaíontóir le cháilíocht Amanda Dunsmore, a raibh a cuid oibre go dtí seo ag gabháil le cúiseanna comhionannais agus ceartais shóisialta cumhachtach chun dearcthaí an phobail a spreagadh agus a athrú. Creidim go fírinneach go bhfuil tábhacht leis an ionadaíocht agus nach bhfuil mo phortráid chomh mór sin fúmsa ná an tábhacht níos leithne a bhaineann le léiriú abhcóideachta, cultúr agus taithí saoil an phobail Uathachais in Éirinn inár n-institiúidí cultúrtha náisiúnta. Tá sé seo tábhachtach ní hamháin chun an pobal a oiliúint ach freisin chun a chinntiú gur féidir le daoine le hUathachas iad féin a fheiceáil ionadaithe i saol sóisialta agus cultúrtha ár dtíre. Tá Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ina habhcóide iontach tríd an deis chéanna a chruthú do dhaoine he hUathachas, lena n-áirítear trí rannpháirtíocht i gclár creidiúnaithe AsIAm, agus tá an taispeántas is déanaí seo a léiríonn an tiomantas sin ina chúis umhlaíochta domsa agus tá sé thar a bheith fónta dár bpobal.”

Dúirt Colin Hunt, Príomhfheidhmeannach AIB, “Tá ríméad orainn go bhfuil portráid Amanda Dunsmore de Adam Harris á nochtadh don Bhailiúchán Náisiúnta Portráidí. Tá obair suntasacha déanta ag Adam Harris do shochaí na hÉireann trí obair abhcóideachta le AsIAm, agus leanann sé de bheith á dhéanamh. Is cúis áthais dom a fheiceáil, mar thoradh ar Dhuais Portráide AIB, go bhfuil sé aitheanta anois i nGailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann. Tá súil agam go dtuigfidh glúnta atá le teacht an tábhacht a bhaineann le háit Adam Harris i saol na hÉireann. Mo chomhghairdeas leis an suiteoir agus leis an ealaíontóir Amanda Dunsmore as an éacht mór seo.”

Déanann Bailiúchán Náisiúnta Portráidí ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann ceiliúrach ar na figiúirí is mó tionchar i stair na hÉireann. Tá réimsí na hiarrachtaí Éireannacha atá léirithe sa bhailiúchán náisiúnta portráidí idir spórt, litríocht agus craoltóireacht go hamharclannaíocht agus ceartas sóisialta. Tá an coimisiún ar taispeáint ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann i Seomra 23. Tá cead isteach saor in aisce. Chun tacú le Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, téigh chuig www.nationalgallery.ie/join-and-give

CRÍOCH

Teagmhálaí na meáin

  • Áine Beamish, Ceann Cumarsáide ag Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, [email protected]

Nótaí don Eagarthóir:

  • Féadfar íomhánna a íoslódáil ag na naisc seo a leanas;
  • Tá an Dr Caroline Campbell ar fáil i gcomhair agallamh.

Maidir le Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann:

Tagann daoine ina sluaite chuig Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann, áit a bhfuil bailiúchán de shaothair ealaíne ón Eoraip agus ó Éirinn a chlúdaíonn tréimhse ó thart ar 1300 go dtí an lá inniu, chomh maith le Leabharlann agus Cartlann fhairsing. Tá saorchead isteach chuig an mbailiúchán agus tá súil againn go mbainfidh gach duine taitneamh, tairbhe agus spreagadh as. Eolas breise:
www.nationalgallery.ie 
Instagram & Facebook: @nationalgalleryofireland
LinkedIn: @National Gallery of Ireland

Maidir le AIB:

Is mórghrúpa seirbhísí airgeadais é AIB a bhíonn ag feidhmiú in Éirinn agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe den chuid is mó. Freastalaímid ar 3.5 milliún custaiméir inár bpríomhréimsí gnó: Baincéireacht Mhiondíola, Margaí Caipitil agus Caipiteal Aeráide. Is é ár gcuspóir é a chur ar a gcumas do dhaoine saol inbhuanaithe a chothú agus is é ár n-uaillmhian é a bheith i gcroílár shaol airgeadais ár gcustaiméirí. Tá ár dtosaíochtaí straitéiseacha dírithe ar thús áite a bheith ag na custaiméirí, dlús a chur leis an aistriú chuig geilleagar ísealcharbóin agus éifeachtúlacht oibríochtúil agus seasmhacht a spreagadh, agus tá sé ina aidhm againn luach inbhuanaithe, fadtéarmach a chur ar fáil dár bpáirtithe leasmhara uile, don gheilleagar agus do phobail.