Four artists announced for Accenture’s Women on Walls at University College Cork
16 Apr 2025
- Vera Klute, Vanessa Jones, Gerry Davis and Julianne Guinee have been awarded the commission.
- Artists will depict women including Edna O’Brien, Joanne O’Riordan, and Nano Nagle who are connected to Munster and have contributed to the betterment of society.
- The 11 women were selected through a public call for nominations via University College Cork, and the artists were selected through an open call process run by Business to Arts.
The walls of the historic Aula Maxima in University College Cork (UCC) will soon feature portraits of trailblazing women as four acclaimed Irish artists have been selected for Accenture’s Women on Walls at University College Cork (UCC), which will recognise the achievements of outstanding women in a series of commissioned portraits.
The announcement follows an open call to artists, led by Business to Arts, to create new paintings honouring 11 women who are connected to Munster and have contributed to the betterment of society.
The Aula Maxima currently displays a collection of presidential portraits of former UCC Presidents. The portraits will diversify representation on this wall and will recognise the outstanding achievement of trailblazing women connected to Munster. The portraits will form part of UCC’s Art Collection.
This is the fourth chapter of Accenture’s Women on Walls, and the first where an open call was conducted for not only the subjects, but the artists to paint those subjects. The selected artists, Vera Klute, Vanessa Jones, Gerry Davis, and Julianne Guinee are based across the country in Kilkenny, Dublin, Limerick, and Cork.
A collection of experienced portrait artists at various stages of their careers, ranging from Julianne who began painting full-time in 2019, to Vera who has two portraits in the National Gallery of Ireland’s portrait collection, this chapter of Accenture’s Women on Walls reviewed a broad range of artist submissions before a selection panel awarded the commissions to the chosen artists.
The portraits that have been awarded to the artists are as follows:
- Julianne Guinee – group portrait of Dr. Evelyn Grant, Dr. Naomi Masheti, Mary Crilly, Dola Twomey, Caitríona Twomey, Brigid Carmody, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and Dr. Patricia Sheahan
- Gerry Davis – individual portrait of Edna O’Brien
- Vera Klute – individual portrait of Joanne O’Riordan
- Vanessa Jones – individual portrait of Nano Nagle
Dr. Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Accenture in Ireland said: “The ambition of Accenture’s Women on Walls is to make women leaders visible so that their lives and achievements can inspire future generations. This next chapter with UCC continues this mission, celebrating the 11 extraordinary women who were nominated by the public for the portrait series. We are grateful to Gerry, Julianne, Vanessa and Vera for helping us to showcase the subjects’ stories, and we look forward to the finished works.”
Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts said: “Business to Arts is honoured to support this group of exceptional artists in delivering this landmark commission. The artists chosen display deep creativity and care when considering their subjects, and it is a privilege to work with them to create works of portraiture that will shape the legacy of both these women and UCC’s art collection.”
Dr. Avril Hutch, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at UCC said: “University College Cork are delighted to welcome these four talented artists to this chapter of Accenture’s Women on Walls. The portraits they will create of 11 trailblazing women will be displayed in one of the most prominent locations on the UCC campus – the Aula Maxima on the UCC Main Quadrangle. We look forward to working together with both the artists and portrait subjects to realise this important commission, which will more fully reflect the diversity of our university community.”
Speaking about being selected for the commission, Julianne Guinee said: “Cork’s favourite painting, Men of the South by Seán Keating, has always held special significance for me—my great-grandfather earned a war medal for his role in the War of Independence. When I brought my four-year-old to see it, she asked, “Where are the girls?” For too long, history has overlooked the women who shaped our society. Now, a century after Keating’s work was acquired by the Crawford, this campaign will unveil women of the south in UCC- a tribute to 11 extraordinary women whose contributions deserve to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.
“As a young female artist, it is an honor to receive this prestigious commission. I look forward to meeting these remarkable women and drawing inspiration from their life’s work. One day, when my daughter walks through the Aula Maxima, she won’t ask, “Where are the girls?”—because they will be there, standing tall in the place they have always belonged.”
Vanessa Jones said: “I am excited to start this commission of Nano Nagle, a woman who impacted generations in Cork, Ireland and the world with her love of God, children and education. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the image of her legacy into the future at UCC.”
Gerry Davis said: “Being selected for this chapter of Women on Walls is an incredible opportunity to celebrate Edna O’Brien’s literary legacy through portraiture. I have deep admiration for her fearless approach to storytelling and the way she carved out her own space in the world, often against the odds. As an artist, I’m drawn to her dedication to craft and her ability to shape narratives that resonate across generations. My work is rooted in observation and narrative, and I look forward to engaging with her estate to develop a painting that not only captures her likeness but also reflects the richness of her life, voice, and influence.”
Vera Klute said: “I’m delighted to take on a commission for Women on Walls and I am especially excited to do Joanne O’Riordan’s portrait. I think her personality and energy are captivating and it is inspiring to consider her ambition and achievements, especially in light of her disability. Portrait commissions of women are unfortunately often posthumous, so it is quite special to be able to do a portrait of a young woman in this context.”
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