Colin Davidson
@colin_davidson
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Artist from Ireland, Chancellor of Ulster University, Patron of WAVE. ‘Silent Testimony’ at the National Portrait Gallery London until February 2025.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Joined June 2010
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I finished this portrait of
#ChristyMoore
a few weeks ago. During the sitting, I sensed a rare connection, a deep engagement, so much so that, I could only paint Christy looking at me, aware of me breathing the same air, thoughts intertwined. I hope you feel this connection too.
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What road would we have taken without John Hume? He showed us the way to peace, empathy and tolerance. He was truly an Irish giant. Thank you John. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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Rest in peace David Trimble. One day we, as a society, will come to realise your seismic contribution to peace in this place. Thank you David.
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John Hume was a personal hero, so it was a privilege and pleasure to revisit my drawings made in 2016 to paint this new portrait for Westminster. Thanks to the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art, which commissioned it. And to
@EamonnMallie
who introduced me to John.
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It was a privilege to unveil my portrait of President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today. Thank you
@PresidentIRL
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Jamie sat for me at night whilst filming
#TheFall
. He was still carrying the weight of playing his character, so much so that I feel there is a lot of Spector's spirit in the painting. I titled it “Night Painting: Portrait of Jamie Dornan (2016)”
#JamieDornan
@netflix
@NetflixUK
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Jim Dornan was a titan. And a gentleman. Rest in peace dear Jim.
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It has been a true privilege to make this bronze bust of Senator George Mitchell for Queen's University Belfast. Where would we be today without this political titan? Thank you Senator Mitchell. And thank you QUB.
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Just in the nick of time, I was able to show Christy Moore his portrait for the first time in person, before the RHA Annual Exhibition 2020 closed. Thank you RHA!
#ChristyMoore
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Last night I fulfilled a lifelong ambition and unveiled my new portrait of Edna O’Brien at Claridges in London. Edna is one of the most courageous and remarkable Irish women. Her writing has helped shape modern Ireland. What a privilege.
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Last night, I had the great honour of unveiling my new portrait of Senator George Mitchell at the Irish Arts Center in New York, in the presence of this quiet titan of peace. Thank you, Senator, for your central role in allowing my children to have a future.
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It’s taken me seven years to finish this painting. Brad sat for me (this time with short hair) in 2013. Time for me to now leave it alone and let everyone see it!
‘Second Portrait of Brad Pitt’, 2013-2020, 102x94cm
#bradpitt
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Seamus Heaney was born 80 years ago today. ‘From Everywhere and Nowhere’. Go raibh maith agat Seamus.
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Just finished installing my biggest Belfast painting to date in the wonderful Waterman Restaurant on Hill Street. Why not book a table and check it out in person!
#belfast
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So good to see
@edsheeran
again today! The portrait is on display
@NPGLondon
from tomorrow.
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These men sat for me in 2014 & 2015, each displaying a genuine affection for the other. I stipulated that their portraits would only be hung together. They agreed.
#Exclusive
..first sighting of portraits by
@colin_davidson
of former First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness side by side.
@BrianPJRowan
@BBCMarkSimpson
@markdevenport
@KenReid_utv
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I was reminded of something Seamus Heaney said in 1972, “If we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere.” It caused me to revisit my drawings, paintings and photographs of Seamus from 2013, and try some new images now, in 2020. Here’s to summering anywhere...
#seamusheaney
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The Irish playwright Brian Friel was born on this day in 1929. I had the great privilege of painting him twice. It gives me enormous comfort to know his words live on.
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I’ve been working on this one since last year. I suppose it’s a big, 3-D selfie. But it is, first & foremost, a framed, wall-hung painting. Using the medium of acrylic and oil paint itself to sculpt with. Onwards with the next one which, I’m relieved to say, will not be a selfie!
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This is my portrait of Margaret Yeaman. Margaret was permanently blinded in 1982 when a bomb exploded at her place of work. She grieves that she will never be able to see her grandchildren. Margaret continues to wait for her pension. This MUST be treated with the utmost urgency.
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Thank you Ulster University. What a day! What an honour. I look forward to the years ahead, serving as Chancellor.
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My friend Thomas O’Brien passed away yesterday. I painted him for my ‘Silent Testimony’ exhibition back in 2014. As I sat with him in his Dublin home, drawing his face, he talked inconsolably about the loss of his brother, sister in law & two nieces on Parnell Street in 1974. 1/3
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Eamonn Holmes. A true pleasure and a privilege to paint Eamonn’s portrait as a gift from Ruth and his family to celebrate his 60th birthday.
#eamonnholmes
#ruthlangsford
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I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Flo O’Riordan. I painted Flo as part of my Silent Testimony exhibition. Flo’s son, Sean, was 13 years old when he was shot dead in Belfast in 1972. Flo spent her lifetime seeking truth & justice for Sean. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
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‘New Glasses (self-portrait)’
2021 | oil on canvas | 101x96cm
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Dear
@BrandonLewis
&
@BorisJohnson
,
I would like to invite you to
@UlsterMuseum
in Belfast to view ‘Silent Testimony’ - an exhibition of 18 portraits depicting people who suffered loss through the Troubles. The following linked tweets illustrate some of the paintings. 1/8
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It is a pleasure to announce that ‘Silent Testimony’, my exhibition which reveals the stories of 18 people connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles in Northern Ireland, will be on show at the National Portrait Gallery London, 22 April ’24 to Feb ’25.
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‘William Jefferson Clinton’. Painted 2018. Unveiled yesterday in NY. To acknowledge his vital role in our peace process.
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Paul Reilly’s daughter, Joanne (20), was killed in 1989 in Warrenpoint when a bomb exploded beside her office. The sitting for this portrait took place in Joanne’s bedroom, kept exactly as she had left it the day she died. ‘Silent Testimony’ continues
@UlsterMuseum
until January.
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A true privilege to paint Lord David Trimble for Queen’s University Belfast.
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One of the privileges of my life, to paint this greatest of human beings.....
#Brexit
..one of the glaring deficits in the Brexit debate is the voice of former SDLP leader John Hume - a calmative during many political storms down the years. Portrait of John Hume by
@colin_davidson
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Lady Mary Peters - Northern Ireland’s greatest Olympian (imho!).
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On
#nationalpoetryday2020
, it seems appropriate to share this painting of
#SeamusHeaney
which I made during lockdown. Heaney’s words were a constant companion during those challenging days, and in reading them I felt urged to revisit my original drawings made in 2013... (1/2)
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‘Belfast from Black Mountain’, 2021, oil on linen, 55x60in
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With John Hume jnr,
@ClaireHanna
and
@columeastwood
at the unveiling at Westminster last night…
#johnhume
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Today the British Government told Jean Caldwell that the person who blew her husband up will never have to worry about being charged with his murder. Jean has been given a gift of hopelessness. Whilst the killer has been handed hope. How twisted, obscene and inhumane can it get?
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This self-portrait (titled ’The Day I Heard That Mark Hollis Had Died’) was recently acquired by the National Gallery of Ireland, and is now on display in their portrait Gallery.
#selfie
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In the studio with the portrait of
#JamieDornan
. The sittings took place in 2016 whilst Jamie was filming for the
@BBCOne
drama 'The Fall'.
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“But death is not easily escaped from by anyone: all of us with souls, earth-dwellers and children of men, must make our way to a destination already ordained where the body, after the banqueting, sleeps on its deathbed.” Remembering Seamus Heaney, born on this day 85 years ago.
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Paul Reilly’s daughter Joanne was killed in a bomb attack in 1989. Today the British Government told Paul that the person who killed Joanne will never have to worry about being charged with her murder. Any sliver of hope has been snatched away from Paul. This is utterly obscene.
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So proud of my Emma. And so special for me to be able to confer her degree at UU in Derry today. x
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This is my portrait of Emma Anthony. Emma’s father was killed in 1994 by an under-car booby trap bomb. She was seated behind him & sustained serious injuries which she lives with today. And yet she is forced to wait for her pension. This MUST be treated with the utmost urgency.
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History will record Pat Hume as being one of the most significant women in Ireland’s story. Without her, there would have been no John. Her death marks the end of an era. Rest in peace dear Pat.
#BreakingNews
: Pat Hume has died. The wife of the former SDLP leader John Hume, passed away at her home at 5.10 this afternoon. Mrs Hume had been ill for some time.
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.
@trussliz
is there any chance that
@JulianSmithUK
could return as SoS for Northern Ireland? There would be huge support here.
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This is my portrait of Margaret Yeaman. Margaret was severely injured & permanently blinded in a bomb attack in Banbridge in 1982. WHERE IS HER PENSION?
@DUPleader
@moneillsf
@BrandonLewis
THIS IS AN APPALLING INSULT. PLEASE GET THIS SORTED. NOW.
#LetRightBeDone
#SilentTestimony
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At the opening of ‘Silent Testimony’
@UlsterMuseum
in 2015, I realised that Margaret Yeaman would never be able to see her portrait. We cried as she leant in to touch the dry paint & smell the linseed oil.
@moneillsf
@DUPleader
@BrandonLewis
for God’s sake, where is her pension?
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Here's a new painting... 'Night Painting (Portrait of Jamie Dornan)', 2016 / 127x117cm / oil on canvas
@JamieDornan
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Good to be back
@UlsterMuseum
today for the installation of ‘Silent Testimony’. Exhibition opens Friday 8th October.
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I guided Margaret Yeaman's hand over the surface of my portrait of her at the opening of 'Silent Testimony' in 2015. It was her only way to experience the painting, as she had been blinded in a bomb attack in 1982. Her injured pension is now 200 days late. What an utter disgrace.
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How I miss John Hume...
#JohnHume
...appropriate to share this portrait of former SDLP leader John Hume by
@colin_davidson
at this time. I hope you enjoy it.
@TedSmyth
@DanMulhall
@MichealMartinTD
@MiriamOCal
@BBCMarkSimpson
@markdurkan
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#tbt
Ten years ago this week, I started my first large portrait when the inimitable
@DukeSpecial
sat for me in my studio. It was a one-off and never meant to be the start of a theme. But I went where it took me, and the quest has continued to this day. Thank you Duke.
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A real honour...
Yesterday President Higgins welcomed renowned Belfast based artist Colin Davidson to Áras an Uachtaráin.
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Jamie Dornan sat for this portrait (detail) at night, after filming 'The Fall', hence the title 'Night Painting'.
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This is Virtue Dixon. Virtue's daughter, Ruth (24), died in a bomb attack in Ballykelly on 6th December 1982. Ruth was celebrating her birthday in the Droppin Well public house when there was an explosion, causing the roof to collapse. Sixteen other people lost their lives. 1/2
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It is an honour and a privilege to announce that 'Silent Testimony' will be on show at the United Nations in New York. October 22 - November 2. Thank you
@irishmissionun
@UKUN_NewYork
@KarenPierceUN
.
#SilentTestimony
#NewYorkCity
#UnitedNations
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This is my portrait of Jeff Smith. Jeff was permanently paralysed when he was caught in a landline explosion in Fermanagh in 1985. WHERE IS HIS PENSION?
@DUPleader
@moneillsf
@BrandonLewis
THIS IS BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE SORT THIS OUT. NOW.
#LetRightBeDone
#SilentTestimony
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A closeup of a recent portrait of the inimitable Belfast poet Michael Longley, who was awarded the Feltrinelli International Prize for Poetry last month.
@feltrinellied
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Remembering Thomas O’Brien who was bereaved on this day, fifty years ago. His brother, John (23), sister-in-law, Anna (22), and two nieces, Jacqueline (17 months) and Anne Marie (5 months), were killed when a no-warning car bomb exploded on Parnell Street in Dublin. 1/2
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Drawing Seamus Heaney in his front room in 2012 (photo by
@MarkCarruthers7
). A memory to last a lifetime. Remembering Seamus today especially.
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Jamie sat for this portrait at night after filming
#TheFall
- seems like yesterday.
#JamieDornan
@BBCTwo
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In 2012 I was invited to paint Tyson Fury. We talked about family, faith & God. I hope this filtered through to the painting itself. So here it is - a portrait of a husband, a son, a father on the cusp of greatness & world domination. Good luck on Saturday
@Tyson_Fury
#TysonFury
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My first gig was Hothouse Flowers. Avoniel Leisure Centre. 1988. I fell in love with live music that night - the raw energy, the melody, the beauty. That legendary Belfast crowd embracing the potent positivity and becoming overwhelmed by this antidote to darkness. 1/3
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At the reopening of ‘Silent Testimony’
@UlsterMuseum
with two of my sitters, Mo Norton and Damien McNally. They always speak so eloquently about living with their loss. The exhibition continues until January 2022.
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Thank you for the hundreds of kind messages on my appointment as Chancellor of Ulster University. It is an honour and a privilege to be back after 30 years!
#ProudofUU
30 years – almost to the day – since he graduated from the University,
@colin_davidson
has been appointed Chancellor of Ulster University.
A globally renowned artist, Colin embodies the creative and contemporary spirit of Ulster University.
↪️
#WeAreUU
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My portrait of
#EdSheeran
is being shown at the National Museum of Korea as part of the exhibition ‘The Face of the Age, Shakespeare to Ed Sheeran’ in conjunction with
@NPGLondon
until 15th August.
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Today the British Government told Damian McNally that the person who shot his father dead will never have to worry about being charged with his murder. And they told us all that this will aid reconciliation in Northern Ireland. How twisted, obscene and inhumane can it get?
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Congratulations to
#LiamNeeson
, who will receive the prestigious 'Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad'.
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This is my portrait of Jean Caldwell.
Jean’s husband Cecil was killed in 1992 when a landmine was detonated at Teebane.
@DUPleader
@moneillsf
@BrandonLewis
VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF THE TROUBLES ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR EVERYONE ELSE’S PEACE.
#PayThePension
NOW.
#SilentTestimony
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This is my portrait of Jeff Smith. Jeff was paralysed in a bomb explosion in 1985 through no fault of his own and continues to wait for his pension. This MUST now be treated with the utmost urgency. These vulnerable people are suffering greatly.
@DUPleader
@moneillsf
@naomi_long
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'Silent Testimony' is my personal response to, and reflection on, how the Troubles in Northern Ireland has had, and continues to have, a profound impact on thousands of individuals - the injured, their families, the families of those who died and the wider community.
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Queen Elizabeth II was born 95 years ago today. I had the great privilege of being invited to Buckingham Palace in 2016 to paint her portrait for her 90th birthday. My thoughts have been very much with The Queen over the past few weeks.
#TheQueen
#QueenElizabeth
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Since 1998, victims and survivors have been paying the price for everyone else’s peace in Northern Ireland. Now they are being expected to pay again.
@BrandonLewis
@BorisJohnson
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“Woodvale Cricket Club from Black Mountain"
I make a big painting of Belfast every year. It's a kind of touchstone for me - a way for me to reconnect, to come home, and to celebrate this city's resilience, bravery and beauty. I suppose it’s really just another portrait.
#Belfast
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The afternoon sunlight plays with my portrait of John Hume
@rhagallery
. A different picture with every moment. Wish I'd painted it that way.
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Jeff Smith was paralysed in a land mine explosion in 1985. Why are he and hundreds of other injured victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland having to wait for their pensions? It is now 246 days late. Our politics is literally adding insult to injury.
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This is my portrait of Emma Anthony. In 1994 Emma was badly injured in a booby-trap car bomb which killed her father. WHERE IS EMMA’S PENSION?
@DUPleader
@moneillsf
@BrandonLewis
THIS DELAY ONLY ADDS TO HER TRAUMA. PLEASE SORT THIS OUT. NOW.
#LetRightBeDone
#SilentTestimony
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