2010: HE'S BEEN FRAMED: TAOISEACH'S 'ALTERNATIVE' OFFICIAL PORTRAIT. 6th December, 2010
Dublin artist Ray Sherlock's painting of Brian Cowen, which he has offered to donate to Leinster House.
It was executed with something of a satirical flourish and captures him seemingly shell-shocked by recent events. With the Office Of Public Works' revelation that Brian Cowen could be the first Taoiseach to leave office without his portrait hanging in Leinster House, a disgruntled Irish artist has offered his own painting, which he hopes will do the job.
Dublin painter Ray Sherlock has said he hopes to save taxpayers thousands of euro by offering to donate the oil canvas caricature of the Fianna Fail leader to Government Buildings.
"When I read that there were no plans to undertake the commission, I was shocked. At the same time, I can understand why spending money on a portrait of Brian Cowen might not go down well at the moment. But despite our current economic difficulties, he is still the leader of the country, and I think his portrait deserves to hang in Leinster House," Mr Sherlock told the Irish Independent.
The 65-year-old artist , who has his own studio, 'Ray's Karikature Korner' on the top floor of the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin, is no fan of the Taoiseach. " I believe he has a good singing voice. That's about the only good thing I have to say about him."
His portrait is now on display in the Balla Ban Art Gallery in the Westbury Mall, Dublin.