Young Pierre amongst Zurich winners

A Cavan artist has won an award at the Zurich Young Portrait Prize 2022 for his amazing self portrait.

Pierre Gaultier Swords, age five and from Moynehall, was both shocked and delighted when he was announced the winner of the category for ages 0-6 at an awards ceremony in the National Gallery of Ireland on December 6.

Pierre was joined for the special occasion by his mother Louise Swords, older brother Noah (7) and aunt Shauna Swords, who is an art teacher and mentor to both of the boys. They had no inkling Pierre was in line to win the award; they were simply “delighted” to be there, acknowledging that being shortlisted from hundreds of entries, was “an achievement”.

Pierre’s self-portrait, a drawing in oil pastel and marker on paper, was professionally frames and mounted on the wall of the gallery, which is also home to works by such luminaries as Caravaggio, Picasso, and Turner. Louise laughs when the Celt adds Gaultier-Swords to that list, but does acknowledge how thrilling it was to have Pierre’s work shown in the “most prestigious gallery in Ireland”, and also to be exhibited along with the other Zurich short-listed artists.

“It’s a real honour to have your work displayed among that level of elite paintings,” she said.

Then came the moment when Pierre was announced as the winner.

“It was such a shock,” Louise reports.

Having previously won the Texaco prize at an event in Trinity, young Pierre had some experience of winning a major award, but as Louise says, “It’s still amazing.”

Pierre has been drawing pictures since he was old enough to hold a crayon, and it’s a passion and talent that his mother has encouraged and nurtured in both Pierre and his brother Noah. Louise has her own brand of non-messy, air drying modelling clay called Clayotic, and regularly runs workshops with children.

“I would always encourage my kids to make and create - I think it’s brilliant.”

Many parents would deter their children from pursuing art as a career given how difficult it is to make a steady income. As someone who attended art college, Louise says she would encourage Pierre if he showed an interest in a creative field.

"As long as my kids - both Noah and Pierre - are happy in any chosen career, I will always encourage them.”

Pierre is one of two Cavan artists who made the shortlist, along with Marie Smith, who was shortlisted for the Zurich Portrait Prize for her fired clay sculpture Stephanie, 2022.

David Booth, from Dublin won the overall National Gallery of Ireland’s Zurich Portrait Prize 2022. His work Salvatore, 2021, a portrait in oil on board of artist Salvatore of Lucan. Salvatore, the sitter, was winner of the Zurich Portrait Prize 2021. As well as a prize of €15,000, David will receive a commission worth €5,000 to produce a new work for the National Portrait Collection.

The self portrait by Pierre and the other shortlisted pieces are currently on view at the National Gallery of Ireland, and the exhibition will run until April 2, 2023. The exhibition will travel to the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny in Donegal in 2023.