Art’s going undercover!
Ireland’s most mysterious online art sale is back, and it includes the works of 80 Leeside artists, or does it?
Taking place on 26 April, Incognito will see over 1,000 Irish artists present close to 3,000 original postcard-sized pieces in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.
What makes Incognito unique is that prospective buyers have absolutely no idea who the artist is behind their favourite artwork until the collection has sold out, and the artists are revealed.
Among the Cork artists participating this year are Georgie O'Mahoney from Butler's Head, Hilary Nunan from Ringabella, Julianne Guinee from Buttevant, Peter Buckley from Cork city, Claire O'Reilly from Newmarket, Carla Trindle from Douglas, and Ruthie Ashenhurst from the Beara Peninsula.
They join a galaxy of superstars taking part including rock legend Ronnie Wood, Westlife’s Mark Feehily, singer Brian Kennedy, fashion designers Don O’Neill and Paul and William Costelloe, folk singer Mary Black, actress Norma Sheahan, and ‘The Voice’ Eimear Quinn.
With artists participating from both home and abroad, including from the United Kingdom, Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, each artwork is an original and priced at just €65, no matter who the artist is.
The entire Incognito 2023 collection of almost 3,000 original pieces is already available to view at incognito.ie. Interested purchasers are advised to register, view the collection, and create their wish list of their top 10 artworks in order of preference ahead of the sale, so as not to miss out on securing their favourites.
Now in its seventh year, Incognito has raised over €860,000 to date in providing in-home nursing care and respite support to Jack and Jill families, including 50 families living in Cork. The charity is hoping that funds generated in 2023 will bring the total amount raised through the Incognito art initiative to €1 million.
Lucinda Hall has been the curator of Incognito since 2017. “While there is much about Incognito for which I am sworn to secrecy, I can reveal that artworks featuring farm animals are among the most sought-after,” Lucinda revealed.
She continued: “Cows are always hugely popular, followed by pigs, hens and even goats! Of course, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and, every year, thankfully, has been a sell-out success.
“I can honestly say that the standard this year is the best I’ve seen since I started working on Incognito and our artists really have gone the extra mile.
“I do think that if people have ever been intrigued by art, but felt a little out of their comfort zone, at €65 an artwork, Incognito is the perfect way to get a collection started. Whether by a renowned artist, or an up-and-coming talent, one thing’s for sure, you’ll have selected a piece that you’ve already fallen in love with.”