.
Pauline Bewick receives her Kerry Association In Dublin Arts Award from Sabina Higgins and her husband President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday. Photo by Julien Behal
THE 2019 Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award was presented to artist Pauline Bewick by Sabina Higgins at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday.
Pauline Bewick, who lives in the beautiful remote valley by Caragh Lake, just outside Killorglin, is one of Ireland’s most innovative, unique and internationally recognised artists with her body of work spanning over 80 years.
Mrs Higgins presented a bespoke piece of Dingle Crystal to Pauline and in her address, Mrs Higgins paid tribute to her long-time friend. She spoke of Ms Bewick’s immense influence on Irish arts and society.
Continued below…
.
The Kerry Association in Dublin Arts award, sponsored by Kerry County Council, and now in its third year, recognises excellence in the arts by an individual either born in Kerry or who has lived a substantial period of their life in the county.
The previous recipients are Professor Brendan Kennelly (2017) and Reverend Dr. J. Anthony Gaughan (2018).
The selection committee for the award comprised both representatives of the Kerry Association committee and representatives from the Arts world, chaired by former Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan.
Kerry Association chairperson, Keelin Kissane, and president, Christy McCarthy, paid tribute to Ms. Bewick, noting that the selection committee was delighted to honour Ms. Bewick with this award for her contribution to the cultural legacy of Ireland.
Based in Kerry, Pauline Bewick is renowned for her distinctively original and sensuous painting, illustrating the vibrancy and beauty of everyday life, nature and people.
Her paintings are included in many public and private collections and have been exhibited in major galleries internationally. She is counted among Ireland’s most iconic artists and her paintings have become prize possessions by art collectors throughout the world.
