Louis le Brocquy
, Irish, 1916-2012
Title
Image of BonoDate2003
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
122 x 91 cm
Credit LineCommissioned, National Gallery of Ireland, as part of the Irish Life and Permanent Portrait Series, 2003
Object numberNGI.4726
DescriptionBorn in Dublin, Bono (Paul David Hewson) began to play the guitar in his youth, inspired by the music of Patti Smith, Thin Lizzy and The Ramones. He acquired his nick-name from a school friend Guggi, who took it from the title of a hearing-aid shop in Dublin called Bono Vox (Latin for 'good voice'). This was later shortened to Bono. From the early days of U2, Bono was the band's dominant force, playing guitar, singing, writing songs, and commanding a renowned stage presence. His high-profile charitable work has included being actively involved in campaigning for debt relief in Africa, working with DATA (Debt, AIDS and Trace in Africa) with the support of several world leaders and financial backing from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Louis Le Brocquy, a self-taught artist, is one of Ireland's most celebrated living artists. He has exhibited and is represented in major public collections worldwide. He is perhaps best known for his series of heads, influenced in their representation by the Celtic concept of the head being a magic box that contains the spirit.