Hope of success for young Cavan artist

Fingers are crossed for young Cavan artist Pierre Gaultier Swords as he’s been shortlisted in Zurich Young Portrait competition.

The five year old’s self portrait is among those with a chance of winning the €500 prize and bespoke art supply box.

“To be honest I haven’t mentioned it to him yet”, says Pierre’s mother Louise, “I’ll sit them down tonight and tell them.”

“He’s very talented. He won the Texaco art competition there a few months ago as well.”

By all accounts Pierre is much like any other five year old, with a little added creativity.

“He’s a unique little character. He’s very outgoing. He’s very fun. He’s got a really good sense of humour and good wit about him.”

One of 20 young artists to be shortlisted, Pierre faced stiff competition.

In his artist’s statement, submitted with his piece, he describes the process he took to create his self portrait.

“I looked in the mirror when I worked on my portrait and tried to get it to look like me.

“I love bright patterns and that is why I drew and coloured a lovely bright pattern on my jumper.”

Pierre’s creativity runs in the family according to Louise, with a number of her family having gone to art college.

“We encourage it all the time. Sure he’s been drawing since he was one and a half or two basically. He does it every day.”

Exhibitions of the shortlisted work will be displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland from November 26 to April 2.