Art of Mystery
Buyers won’t know whose work it is until after ‘Incognito’ event
They provide us with two nurses for Sean so we can get a number of hours respite
MICK DALY ON SERVICE JACK & JILL FOUNDATION PROVIDES
MORE than 3,300 artworks are going on sale for a charity but buyers will not know who the artist is until the purchase is complete.
The “Incognito” sale is in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation, which provides support for children with neurodevelopmental delay.
One family that relies on its assistance said its work is “amazing” and in-home support provides them with invaluable time for other things.
Described by organisers as Ireland’s biggest online art sale, each piece is priced at €65, no matter the artist, with funds directed to in-home nursing care and respite support services for more than 400 children.
These may include youngsters with a brain injury, a genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy and undiagnosed conditions.
Another key part of the service is
end-of-life care for all kids up to the age of six, irrespective of diagnosis.
There are more than 1,200 contributors taking part from Ireland and around the world including celebrated artists and other famous names.
Among the Incognito contributors playing hide-and-seek at the launch were artist and former RTE Live at Three presenter Thelma Mansfield, RTE Home of the Year judge and architect Hugh Wallace, fashion designer Don O’neill and portrait artist Rae Perry.
Landscape artist Cora Murphy and RHA president Abigail O’brien are also contributing pieces.
The other stars taking part include model and actress Jerry Hall, comedian Colin Murphy, fashion designers Helen Steele, Heidi Higgins and Simone Rocha, milliner Philip Treacy, jewellery designer Chupi Sweetman and singer Brian Kennedy. Mick Daly
said Jack and Jill provide “amazing” weekly support to his two-year-old son Sean.
He added: “We can’t underestimate the work that they do, they’re brilliant. They provide us with two nurses to look after Sean so we get a number of hours of respite.
“We can trust them a lot, they’re very practical. They get on really well with Sean.”
Sean has the rare genetic disorder megalencephaly-capillary malformation with polymicrogyria.
His mother Emma Dalton said this involves multiple folds within the brain and displays in Sean as a large head and one side of his body is slightly longer and larger than the other.
He is currently non-verbal and cannot walk without a walker.
The family said the greatest benefit is the time, allowing the parents to be free for a coffee break, for chores or just time for themselves.
Mick added: “There are supports
DISGUISE THE LIMIT Some of the artists involved in this year’s Incognito out there. Sometimes, when you get thrown into this world where you don’t have any experience, you don’t know about that.
“What really benefits us is the hours back. It’s not about money or doing extra things. It’s actually time.
“What we value the most for Sean is we can get time back for ourselves because it’s full on sometimes and it’s just that space that you have, someone that is medically trained and they’re in
safe hands if something was to happen.”
While the idea behind the sale process invites speculation, two contributors have left little doubt as to which postcard is their handiwork.
Keen-eyed art connoisseurs will note one of the postcards features portraits of two characters labelled PJ and Jim.
Conspicuously, breakfast radio presenters PJ Gallagher and Jim Murray attended yesterday’s launch at the RHA Gallery in Dublin and were openly self-detrimental about their drawing skills.
PJ said: “We’re not up there with all the great painters in the world, like Van Gogh or Pavarotti.
“But we have produced a piece of minimalist brilliance for Incognito and we’d like to think it’s a fair reflection of us as people – the triumph of achievement over talent.
“While we didn’t necessarily follow all the rules of Incognito, we think we’ve added value by adding something a little extra at the front of our very exclusive and original artwork.
“We’re breaking ground for a great cause. We’re delighted to support Jack and Jill again and encourage everyone to see if they can spot our masterpiece in the collection.”
Award-winning architect Hugh said purchasing an Incognito artwork could be the perfect start to an amazing new collection.
He added: “I love the idea of buying someone’s creativity, imagination and thought in little postcards.
“In time, you can even build up your own collection of artworks, which is super.”
Deirdre Walsh, chief executive of the
Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, said artists love being part of Incognito.
She added: “We are incredibly grateful to them for their support. “The Incognito art sale quite literally turns art into a currency for care.
“The funds raised will translate into vital in-home nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for over 400 families who are caring for children across Ireland.”
Now in its eighth year, Incognito 2024 sees more than 3,300 original postcard-size artworks on show at www.incognito.ie.
Buyers will have three weeks to peruse and pick their favourite pieces before the sale goes live on April 24.
The Incognito art sale quite literally turns art into currency for care
DEIRDRE WALSH JACK AND JILL FOUNDATION CHIEF