Irish artist named Sky Art’s Portrait Artist of the Decade for his portrait of actress Judi Dench

Irish artist named SkyArt’s Portrait Artist of the Decade as part of a special 90-minute anniversary episode of the popular competition show Portrait Artist of the Year.

Gareth Reid, 49, from Belfast, received the honour, emerging as the winner of the competition holding up a portrait of acclaimed actress Judi Dench. On Wednesday night’s All-Star special episode, previous winners painted the actress’s performance at London’s Battersea Arts Center, but Reid came out on top with her charcoal portrait.

Gareth Reid’s Judi Dench.

Reid attended Glasgow School of Art and was named Portrait Artist of the Year in 2017, beating out 54 other contestants. As the winner of that title, he was given the opportunity to capture the portrait of television personality Graham Norton.

Winner of the Portrait Artist of the Decade award, Dench’s latest drawings will be displayed in an upcoming exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. His work will also be on display at an exhibition at La Roche House in Belfast and at the Sotheby’s London Sale of Irish Art in Dublin this November.

“I was shocked when my name was read out,” Reed said of the experience. “I had no expectations and I feel very lucky and honored to have been selected. Winning my first award was already extraordinary, but this one goes above and beyond.

“Being there that day with my daughters and working under pressure with such an amazing group of talented artists was an experience I will never forget.”

Portrait Artist of the Year is a popular competition show where portrait artists from across the UK compete to be crowned Portrait Artist of the Year, with a host of celebrity sitters posing for portraits. This year’s sitters included Dr. Jane Goodall, comedian Rob Delaney, actor Darryl McCormack, and many other celebrities.

Coming out of retirement, I’m back on TV tonight. Portrait Artists of the Decade, 8pm Sky Arts/Freeview/Now TV pic.twitter.com/Yt9x5Do5rs

— Gareth Reid (@TheReidArt) October 4, 2023