Statement on the death of Pauline Bewick
Date: Fri 29th Jul, 2022 | 15:56
As President of Ireland, and on behalf of Sabina, I know that we will be among the many in Ireland and beyond who will have heard with deep sadness of the death of our dear friend, the renowned artist Pauline Bewick.
It is with such fondness that I look back on a visit to Pauline’s studio in Kerry last November. Sabina and I were so honoured to have this time with Pauline and her daughters, in the presence of so much of her lifetime’s work - watercolours, tapestries, wall-hangings and sketches, all expressions of what was a unique and original creative talent. It was there to her studio in Kerry where she always returned and where Pauline spent so many years, between all her travels, with her family while producing works of astonishing artistic brilliance.
In 2019, it was at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin that Pauline was awarded with the Kerry Association in Dublin’s Arts award for her immense contribution to Irish arts and culture. We who had the privilege of her friendship could but admire her commitment to always following her own path, reflecting on the world in her own unique way, refusing to fit into any one genre and creating worlds without boundaries.
Pauline’s life of generosity was exemplified by her gifting of over 500 pieces of her life’s work to the Irish Nation on her seventieth birthday.
Sabina joins with me in sending our deep condolences to Pauline’s daughters Poppy and Holly, sons-in-law, grandchildren, niece and nephew and her wider family and her many friends.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam.
Michael D. Ó hUigínn
Uachtarán na hÉireann