Daniel Nelis Wins Prestigious AIB Portrait Prize with ‘Late Spring’

In a significant win for the Donegal arts community, artist Daniel Nelis has been named the overall winner of the AIB Portrait Prize 2025. His evocative work, titled Late Spring, was announced as the winner during an event at the National Gallery of Ireland, standing out among a shortlist of 26 artists from across the island of Ireland.

The Artistry Behind ‘Late Spring’

Late Spring is an oil-on-panel portrait of the artist’s wife, Andrea, painted in the months leading up to their marriage. Rather than focusing on romanticism, Nelis describes the piece as an attempt to “bear witness through an intimate and intrusive lens.”

The work is characterized by a meticulous level of detail, where fabrics and heather are rendered with the same scrutiny as the human figure. According to Donegal Daily, Nelis’s work often explores moments of stillness and contemplation, rooted in the desolate boglands of his home, reflecting a heightened awareness of time’s passage.

“The painting does not seek to sentimentalise our relationship, but to bear witness through an intimate and intrusive lens… Such moments of quiet reflection, experienced in the vivid reality of the present, are of greatest interest in my work.” — Daniel Nelis

Prizes and Professional Recognition

As the overall winner of the annual competition, Nelis receives a cash prize of €15,000. He has been commissioned to create a new work for the National Portrait Collection, a project for which he will be awarded a further €5,000, as reported by RTÉ.

About the Artist

Based in Gartan and Ramelton, Daniel Nelis balances his artistic practice with his role as an art teacher at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny. His academic background includes:

• A degree in Fine Art Painting from Ulster University.
• An MA in Art History, Collections and Curating from University College Dublin.

Other Notable Awards and Judges

The 2025 competition showcased a diverse array of media, including sculpture, video, photography, drawing, and painting. While Nelis took the top honor, other artists were similarly recognized for their contributions:

• Highly Commended: John Foley and Conor O’Leary each received awards of €1,500.
• AIB Young Portrait Prize: 11-year-old Guorui Sui won the youth category with a self-portrait titled My Own World of Fantasy, which depicts the artist surrounded by favorite toys.

The judging panel for this year’s prize consisted of Dr Barbara Dawson, Emily Mark-FitzGerald, and Gareth Reid.

Key Takeaways: AIB Portrait Prize 2025

• Winner: Daniel Nelis for Late Spring.
• Medium: Oil on panel.
• Total Award: €20,000 (€15,000 prize + €5,000 commission).
• Young Winner: Guorui Sui (11) for My Own World of Fantasy.
• Venue: National Gallery of Ireland.

With this win, Daniel Nelis cements his place in the National Portrait Collection, moving from the classrooms of Letterkenny to one of Ireland’s most prestigious art galleries.