Local businessman pays big for stunning portrait of Kilkenny hero cancer campaigner
A stunning portrait of Vicky Phelan was sold in auction for €58,000 yesterday by a local businessman and friend of the Kilkenny cervical cancer campaigner.
The portrait of the Mooncoin mother-of-two, who is currently undergoing experimental cancer treatment at the National Institute of Health near Washington, DC, could be used to to raise awareness and funding for cancer care.
The portrait went under the hammer at Sheppard’s Auction Rooms in Durrow, county Laois. It was snapped up by David Brennan, who hails from Mooncoin and is the Managing Director of the successful international engineering firm, Eastgate Engineering.
The bidding for the portrait by Tullamore-based artist Vincent Devine opened at €15,000. When the hammer fell it had reached €46,500. With fees included, the total amount came to €58,000.
All proceeds of the sale are being donated to the Heroes Aid, the charity set up to support to frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Sue Nunn on KCLR’s The Way It Is programme, Mr Brennan said: “It’s more than just a portrait for somebody to own. It is something that will end up being a legacy for generations. Vicky’s children and Vickys’ children’s children will have it for a very long time.
“We spoke earlier on that perhaps the portrait itself will take a number of tours, and continue lighting Vicky’s candle as it tours around the country.
“There is much more I think the portrait can do for such a long time to come,” Mr Brennan added.
