Celebrities go ‘incognito’ for Irish children’s charity

More than 3,300 artworks are going on sale for a charity fundraiser, but buyers will not know who the artist is until their purchase goes through.

The “Incognito” art sale is in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation, which provides support for children with neurodevelopmental delay.

To date, the project has raised more than 1.2 million euro in funds to support vital in-home nursing and respite care provided by the charity.

Jack and Jill provides nursing care and respite support to 427 families caring for children up to the age of six, with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

These may include children with brain injury, a genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy and undiagnosed conditions.

This year’s sale contains artworks by more than 1,000 artists in what is the biggest collection in the project’s nine-year history.

Each postcard-size artwork costs 70 euro and buyers will only get confirmation of the artist after the sale.

Incognito 2025 was launched on Wednesday by several participants, including writer and broadcaster Maia Dunphy, fashion designers and artists Helen Steele, Jill & Gill and Caroline Duffy, and artists Leah Hewson, Holger Baehr, Conor O’Connell and Maser.

Other participants include singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy, creative director and professional dancer Arthur Gourounlian, TV cook Donal Skehan, fashion designers Simone Rocha, Heidi Higgins and Don O’Neill, Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan, and broadcaster Joe Duffy.

Half of the collection will be available to view at the incognito Gallery at Unit 5, Charlemont Square, Dublin 2, with the sale happening on April 11 and 12.

The other half of the collection will be exclusively available on incognito.ie with the online sale taking place on April 16.

All the artists behind the incognito 2025 artworks will be revealed the following day.

Watercolours, oils, pastels, acrylics, stained glass and textiles are among the mediums employed by the artists, while this year sees photography featuring in the art sale for the first time since 2021.

One mother who uses Jack and Jill services said the foundation’s support means her family can focus on what matters most.

Eilish Begley, from Gorey, said she was told her 10-day-old son Matthew had “four weeks to live” after being born with an inoperable cardiac condition and was referred to palliative care.

“We were devastated, but our main focus was to get Matthew home and to make memories as a family, together with our other son, then four-year-old Patrick, for whatever little time we had,” she said.

“Without Jack and Jill’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to bring Matthew home.

“Jack and Jill has been a constant source of support since those first days.

“Matthew has thrived at home and is now 21 months old but it still very sick.

“He is so precious; we celebrate his birthday on the 8th of every month. We have a cake and do something special as a family. With an uncertain future, we make the most of every day and every milestone.”

Contemporary artist Maser said: “It means a lot to me personally. My brother-in-law, Jack, was helped greatly by the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation many years ago, which this event supports.

“My mother-in-law and wife speak so highly of the work they did for him, so I feel a connection to their mission. I’ve contributed work over the last few years and am playing a bigger role in helping facilitate the show this year.

“For me, it’s about that sense of community and supporting a cause that makes a difference. If I can contribute even a little to that, it feels incredibly meaningful.”