Artist Statement:
I first became acquainted with Cork Born Michael Collins, Michael Collins like many of my generation, through the 1996 film starring Liam Neeson. At 15, it was a real treat for our history class to be taken to the cinema, igniting my fascination with Irish history.
When I chose to commemorate Collins, I stepped away from the film and dedicated hours to studying images of the real Collins, aiming to present the true legend to an audience. My goal was for his face to gain familiarity while the actor’s face faded from memory. I transformed a black-and-white photograph into a palette of green, white, and gold to celebrate the leader of freedom and humanity in his pursuit of the Republic of Ireland.
Through my study, I noticed that while the film captured a similar overall appearance, it lacked the finer, crucial details of Collins. I aimed to portray him as a more handsome figure than Neeson, emphasising his trench coat and youth, which I felt lacked in the film. The background features lino prints of white flowers, symbolising peace. Each flower holds significance: the lily, a common funeral flower, honour the deceased, representing peace and serenity of his death at Beal na Blath; the Myosotis scorpioides, or water forget-me-not, is native to West Cork; and the fuchsia, a familiar sight along the highways and byways of West Cork, is often considered the flower of the region, much like Collins himself.
The portrait is rich in symbolism, intentionally or not, as that is who Collins is to the Irish people: a symbol of humanity, peace, and unity.
Painting Details:
Title: Michael Collins – (The Big Fellow)
Artist: Onóir O Brien
Medium: Acrylic base with Lino Print and Chalk pastel and Artisan Water based oil paints.
Dimensions: 105 height x 85 width CM.
Creation Period: March 2025 – July 2025.
