The Artists

Carmel and Oliver

Carmel Clark and Oliver Brady are partners in Brady and Clark.

Both have previously exhibited and sold their art to both commercial and private buyers, so they naturally began to collaborate on art projects. Carmel and Oliver have recently carried out  commissions for a Dublin hotel group, and additional projects are in development.

Their style of painting is abstract, free and intuitive, emphasising colour and movement.

The Heart Children

Additionally, Carmel and Oliver invited five children from Heart Children Ireland to help them create The Big Picture.  They came together in late August to each make their individual mark on the work, as can be seen below.  The five children were:

Rachel Duffy – Age 9

Rachel was born in November 1999 with a very rare Congenital Heart Defect called Ebsteins Anomaly. The early days of her life were fraught with uncertainty and her parents Cathriona and Garry were told that there was a chance she may not survive. Rachel defied the odds and is thriving. She is on regular checkups at Our Lady’s Children’s hospital. She may need surgery as she grows but right now she is thriving. Her mother says “Just give her a football and she’s away”

Oisin Ward–Halford - Age 13

Oisin was born with a complex heart condition in 1995. Unfortunately, Oisin’s heart condition affected his kidneys. He spent the first few years of his life in and out of hospital and had heart surgery at 6 years old. Oisin is on regular check ups at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital and is thriving. He starts Secondary School this year. His passion is model railway building and art.

James Mohan – Age 6

James was born in 2001 with an extremely complex heart condition, transposition of the great arteries, Pulmonary Stenosis and a single left ventricle. He was diagnosed the day after he was born and has had four surgeries; two of them open hear surgeries. He has further surgeries to go and will have to have a heart transplant in his 20’s. James is an amazing little guy, his parents say “we have learned from him daily and, he constantly keeps our spirits high”. He has become very much involved with Heart Children Ireland and has met with Daniel Day Lewis, described his heart condition for a news item on RTE 2 television, and has met with the former Canadian Ambassador to Ireland. We have given James the position of Junior PR executive. James likes Lego and loves to play “Ben 10”. He wants to be a builder when he grows up.

Maya Flynn – Age 6

Maya was born in October 2001 a fine healthy baby. At 4 weeks she went into heart failure and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. After spending some time in Crumlin Hospital she came home with a strict medication regime and an uncertain future. At eighteen months Maya began to make huge improvements, from then she has gone from strength to strength. Along with her heart condition Maya is also visually impaired but neither has ever held her back. She is an active fun loving six year old with a wicked sense of humour. Her favourite subject in school is art and this year she hopes to be a famous jewellery designer when she grows up. (Last year she wanted to be a snowman!!!)

Michael Raftery – age 12

Michael was born in Galway on July 3rd 1996 and within 24 hours was diagnosed with Transposition. He was rushed by Ambulance to Crumlin and had immediate surgery. When he was five days old he had another operation which lasted seven hours. He spent six weeks in Crumlin. Michael has gone from strength to strength. He is on annual check ups and his next operation will be a pace maker with the next few years. He is a very active12 year old that enjoys rugby swimming, cycling and skiing. He favourite subject is art and P.E.