Waterford artists in the spotlight at the AIB National Portrait Prize
At this year’s AIB National Portrait Prize, one of the biggest annual art exhibitions held at the National Gallery Ireland, Waterford artistic talent was represented by not one, but two fantastic photographers from the Déise.
Waterford artist John Foley received one of two Highly Commended prizes worth €1,500 at the annual competition. The Portrait Prize exhibition, which travels to Waterford Gallery of Art in July 2026 for 4 months, aims to celebrate and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture.
Foley’s photographic work entitled Biddy Boy is a portrait of Evan O’Connor from Kilgobnet National School in Kerry and was taken as the pupils were preparing for the region’s annual Biddies parade through Killorglin. The parade takes place on St. Bridget’s Day and involves the ‘biddies’ carrying a Brídeog while performing celebratory traditional songs and dances.
Waterford-born Foley works as a documentary photographer in Dublin. His work primarily features rituals and traditions and explores ideas of community, belonging and shared identity.
The competition also featured Waterford artist Niamh Swanton whose shortlisted entry God, I Hope it All Goes Away explores the influence of Catholicism on Irish childhood through symbolic colour and everyday objects. Both John and Niamh have works in the permanent Waterford Art Collection.
Curator at Waterford Gallery of Art, Luke Currall, said, “We have some exceptionally fine artists in Waterford, and it is only right that they are now being recognised nationally for their excellence.
“I am delighted for John and Niamh to have their work on such a prestigious platform. Both photographers are among the finest in the country and I expect to see their status grow in the coming years as they develop and refine their practice further.”
On the same day, the winners of the AIB Young Portrait Prize were announced. The overall winner was 11-year-old Guorui Sui for his piece My Own World of Fantasy.
The National Portrait Prize showcases contemporary portraiture and invites submissions from artists working in all media and disciplines, from across the island of Ireland, and from Irish artists living abroad. The overall prize worth €15,000 was won by Donegal-born artist Daniel Nelis for his oil-on-panel piece entitled Late Spring.
The National Portrait Prize and Young Portrait Prize can be viewed at Waterford Gallery of Art, O’Connell Street, Waterford from July 18th to October 11th, 2026.
