Renowned Dublin street artist, Emmalene Blake, has chosen a subject close to her heart for her latest mural - a portrait of her cousin Vicki for World Down Syndrome Day.
Ms Blake, who has painted murals of high profile figures such as boxer Kellie Harrington, American rapper Cardi B and climate activist Greta Thunberg in the past, was putting the finishing touches to the large grayscale work in Harold's Cross last night.
She said: "I wanted to paint this piece to celebrate Vicki and all people with Down Syndrome. I think people with disabilities are massively underrepresented in the art world.
"I know I’m painting this piece for World Down Syndrome Day, but I don’t think that it should only be on days like this that people with disabilities do get representation."
Ms Blake, whose murals made international news during the pandemic, began sketching the mural on the wall of McGowan’s pub on Sunday.
"I was a bit nervous when Vicki was on her way to see it, as she wouldn’t be afraid to tell me if she didn’t like it," she said.
However, her subject gave her portrait a resounding seal of approval.
"I love it, I look like a model," Vicki explained. "It’s important for people with Down Syndrome and I can’t wait for my friends to see it."
World Down Syndrome Day, 21 March, is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
