Mayo artists go undercover for Incognito

Mayo creatives have once again illustrated their hearts of gold with 18 local artists taking part in Incognito 2023, Ireland’s most mysterious online art sale taking place on Wednesday, April 26, in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

What makes Incognito so special is that prospective buyers have absolutely no idea who the artist is behind their favourite postcard-sized original artwork until the collection has sold out, and the artists are revealed. Each artwork is sold for €65.
Mayo artists participating this year include Barbara Sheppard from Newport, Mick O’Dea from Achill Island, Deirdre Kelleghan from Killadoon, Jacki Bowler from Louisburg and Shelley Troupe from Swinford.

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 & William Costelloe, folk singer Mary Black, actress Norma Sheahan and ‘The Voice’ Eimear Quinn. Among the established artists taking part this year are Mo Kelly, Maser, Una Sealy RHA, Sylvia Parkinson Brown, Abigail O’Brien, Peter Curling, Fergus Martin and Martin Gale.

The Incognito 2023 collection of almost 3,000 original pieces of postcard-sized art, by over 1,000 artists, is available to view at www.incognito.ie. Interested purchasers are being strongly advised to register, view the collection, and create their wish list of their top ten artworks in order of preference ahead of the sale, so as not to miss out on securing their favourites.
Now in its seventh year, the art sale has raised over €860,000 to date in providing in-home nursing care and respite support to Jack and Jill families, including nine families living in Mayo. Jack and Jill is hoping that funds generated in 2023 will bring the total amount raised to an incredible €1 million.
Artists across the country and from all over the world, including Europe, Australia, NewZealand, the UK and the US, take part. Over the years, some interesting themes have emerged. Lucinda Hall, curator since 2017, reveals that animals are a big winner with the public.
“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. Cows are always hugely popular, followed by pigs, hens and even goats!” she says.
For Erin Watt Shepherd, Jack and Jill Liaison Nurse Manager for Mayo, Incognito is not just about the amazing art from local artists, it’s about the difference it makes to the lives of families in the community.
“Our talented Mayo artists have once again come up trumps and shown huge generosity in turning their art into a currency for care,” she says, adding: “Each work of art purchased is valuable, not only in its own right, but also for the hours of in-home nursing it funds for children with highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions. It is great to see so many artists rallying to support local Jack and Jill families and demonstrating what real community spirit means.”

To view the Incognito art sale collection, or to register your wish list, visit www.incognito.ie or www.facebook.com/2023incognito.