Press

Source: The Irish Times. Click here for the original article.

Former Polish president and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa finds a painting of Brian Cowen by artist Brendan Higgins on the rails of St Stephen's Green yesterday while canvassing support for a Yes vote with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

ON GRAFTON STREET: THE POLISH Solidarity leader Lech Walesa yesterday became an unwitting player in the partisan Irish political game when accompanying Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on a "about" at St Stephen's Green in Dublin.

An array of paintings was on display along the Green and the Kenny-Walesa duo stopped to admire the work of pop artist Brendan Higgins who has an Irish variation on the Barack Obama "Hope" poster which shows the face of Brian Cowen and the words, "No Hope".

Before he knew it, the guiltless Polish leader, who speaks no English, was holding the "No Hope" portrait of the Taoiseach as the photographers snapped away merrily.

The two men had just emerged from a joint press conference at the Shelbourne Hotel where Walesa took 40 minutes to answer about a half-dozen questions. His feisty delivery, the relentless detail of his responses and his passion showed why the Polish communists simply did not have a chance.

Walesa said his decision to attend two election rallies of the anti-Lisbon group Libertas earlier this year was part of a process of engagement with his opponents.

He agreed with the Libertas analysis, but not their opposition to Lisbon, he said. The man who did more than any other individual to destroy the Soviet system of government showed a Marxist-style capacity to maintain contradictory viewpoints in dialectical unity.

When the men stood together at Fusiliers' Arch, popularly known as "Traitor's Gate", and a passer-by loudly phoned a friend to say he was in the presence of the great Lech Walesa, it was not all one-sided. Two teenage girls were screaming with delight after getting their photograph taken with the Fine Gael leader; whatever about Brian, there seems to be hope for Enda.

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Source: The Evening Herald, July 29 2009

Fans' desire for U2 art pays off for Dubliner - How the Herald inspired painter as a schoolboy

While a quarter of a million people forked out their well-earned cash to see Bono live on stage this weekend, one artist was cashing in on portraits of the Irish rocker. Painter Brendan Higgins (51) was exhibiting his unique style portraits of Bono and the lads at the Temple Bar Music, CD & Record Fair. From the early days, Brendan has been a U2 fan - so he decided they'd be the perfect subject for his portraits. He produced fun and vibrant pop art images, handpainted in acrylics of Bono and the Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton for the exhibition. The Dublin artist, now based in Coolock, said:

"I always had an interest in art. I caught onto local Irish icons and my art developed, the paintings started selling. I'm a registered artist and work in the freight business, but I'm becoming more and more involved with the art.

Brendan claims that from an early age he had an interest in art. He credits the Herald as his inspiration for art at an early age. He admitted:

I was inspired by my Herald comic strip favourites like 'Little Sport' and 'Mutt and Jeff', and developed a talent as a cartoonist. Years and years ago my family would always buy the Herald, each night I'd look at the cartoons.

Although a budding cartoonist, his passions lay in painting and drawing.

I was always doodling as a child and would sell my drawings on the schoolyard.

However, Brendan's most recent artworks are portraits of music icons. "I've always had an interest in music; it's been a big influence. It's creative bringing music and art together," he said. Brendan has sold paintings to the famous Irish golfer Paul McGinley, including a portrait of Luke Kelly.

"Paul Mc Ginley is a real Dub at heart," revealed Brendan. "He bought a portrait of Phil Lynott." Brendan added: "What I do is unique, because no one else is doing it and it's my own unique style. It's not everywhere you can get a painting of The Dubliners. "A cousin of Barney McKenna from The Dubliners actually bought a portrait for him. Most recently I've done portraits of Michael Jackson." Brendan's next exhibition of work will be staged at Skerries Mills from August 3 to 16. It will be a selection of his pop art style portraits, including famous acts such The Dubliners, David Bowie - and of course U2 - plus a portrait of our very own Brian Cowen.

hnews@herald.ie - Fiona Donnellan

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