Vicky Phelan portrait realises €58,000 for frontline charity
An Offaly-based artist who is a former student of both Athlone IT and Moate Business College has raised a staggering €58,000 for frontline workers with his stunning portrait of cervical cancer awareness campaigner, Vicky Phelan.
The magnificent 300cm by 150cm triptych (three panel) portrait painted by Vincent Devine, from Clara, was first unveiled on the Late Late Show some weeks, ago, and was auctioned at Sheppards’ Irish Auction House in Laois on February 4 last in a worldwide online auction, which realised over €58,000 for Heroes Aid, a charity which aids frontline workers.
In an ironic twist of fate, the unique portrait of Ms. Phelan was bought by one of her childhood friends from Mooncoin, local businessman, David Brennan, who plans to return it to Kilkenny and put it on public display.
Mr. Brennan paid €46,500 for the painting, and when Sheppards’ Auction House donated their fee to Heroes Aid, the final figure reached a staggering €58,000.
Vincent Devine, who is now based in Tullamore, is a Visual Communications Graduate from AIT and also attended Moate Business College. His painting of Vicky Phelan, which is his most significant piece of work to date, depicts various aspects of her life from the past to the present, and into the future.
Auctioneer Michael Sheppard said the symbolism used in the painting “will be of historic reference for decades to come.”
The founder of Heroes Aid, Mary Leahy, said the charity was “absolutely thrilled” with the incredible price achieved by the portrait, and she paid tribute to Vincent Devine for his generosity in donating the painting. Mr. Devine has worked closely with Heroes Aid since its foundation last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and also helped to design its logo.
Vicky Phelan, who is currently in the US receiving groundbreaking cancer treatment, described the portrait as “a message of hope” and said she was delighted to have been involved in the project which will leave an “incredible legacy” for her family and for all Irish women.