DUBLIN based visual artist Lynn Kennedy has won The Irish News prize for Best in Show at the 143rd Royal Ulster Academy of Arts exhibition.
Offering £1,000 to the winner, this prize reflects the commitment of The Irish News to fostering local talent and celebrating the best of Northern Ireland’s visual arts.
“Visual arts and creativity are such an important part of how we relate to life, the world and people around us,” said Irish News director Anne Sykes.
“It’s a different way of communicating and it’s often underappreciated so it’s just been brilliant to be able to support and celebrate the diversity, variety and talent on show.”
Selected by comedian, artist and guest adjudicator Phill Jupitus, Ms Kennedy’s work, entitled Milkshake, was chosen from more than 200 public submissions.
“There’s a lot of incredibly good, dramatic and funny work,” says Mr Jupitus.
“There’s stuff that makes me smile, laugh, there’s stuff that makes you think or makes you cross – that’s the nature of all art is that it promotes and evokes these feelings.
“But when I saw Milkshake, it stopped me in my tracks.
“It just catches you unawares and makes you a little bit breathless, I couldn’t not pick it – the painting chose me.”
The exhibition at the Ulster Museum, launched as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival, is running until January 6 2025, and is one of the most prominent platforms in the north for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience.
“The important thing about open exhibitions like these is that they’re open to everybody.
“I mean I’ve even got a piece in - one of my drawings is on the wall - so there’s no pressure,” jokes Mr Jupitus.
“But on a serious note, I think it’s brilliant because I think a lot of artists feel slightly fraudulent so it’s a chance to make them realise everyone’s part of the game.”
Inspired by an image captured by photographer Antoni Shkraba, Ms Kennedy’s winning oil painting depicts a young girl with Down’s Syndrome looking directly at the viewer whilst holding a milkshake.
“This artwork invites us to reflect on how we view others,” Ms Kennedy explains.
“It asks us not to judge by differences but to connect through our shared experiences, emotions, and desires.
“Like anyone else, this girl seeks love, joy, and understanding. By focusing on the things that unite us the painting serves as a reminder that we are all more alike than we think.”
Ms Kennedy graduated from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in 1993. Since then, she has worked as an animator, 3D modeller, graphic designer, illustrator and portrait photographer.
Now working primarily in oils much of her work is commissioned for private collections.
The RUA exhibition is free to the public - more than 100,000 people visited last year - and all artworks are available for purchase, with prices ranging from £100 to £20,000 and beyond, making this an accessible event for art lovers with varying budgets.
The RUA exhibition will run at the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast until January 6 2025
