The portraits include Queen’s alumnus, and one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures Baroness Arlene Foster, as well as leading Dubai businesswoman and Queen’s Honorary Graduate, Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, which were both unveiled at recent ceremonies at the University.

The paintings will form part of the University's renowned Portrait Collection, on display in Queen’s Great Hall, where for over two decades the Queen’s Gender Initiative has been collaborating with the Naughton Gallery to take notable steps to redress the imbalance in representation of influential women connected to the University.

The local artists commissioned to do the paintings were Kathryn Warden, who celebrated Baroness Foster’s political achievements and her enduring connection to Queen’s, and Catherine Creaney who honoured Dr Al Gurg’s longstanding relationship with the University, initially instigated in 2013 by Baroness Foster, then the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment.

The portrait additions underline Queen’s commitment to fostering gender equality and promoting the presence of women across all sectors of society, with former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and prominent trade union activist Baroness May Blood already celebrated in artwork at Queen’s. The University also has a critically acclaimed painting ‘Out of the Shadows’ by Michelle Rogers, depicting the role of women right across Queen’s, in place in the prestigious Council Chambers.

Speaking of the unveilings, the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, emphasised their significance:

“When Queen’s opened its doors in 1845, women were largely absent from campus life, and our walls heavily adorned with the portraits of men.

“For many years, the only portrait of a woman to hang in the Great Hall was that of Queen Victoria. The Queen’s Gender Initiative has taken significant steps to redress this imbalance, actively commissioning portraits of influential women associated with the University. We’ve achieved immense progress on the journey towards gender equality over the years, having recently been awarded Gold University status by the prestigious Athena Swan charter. Recent additions including those of Baroness Foster and Dr Al Gurg’s portraits in the Great Hall both celebrate the accomplishments of their respective roles in politics and business, and most importantly, remind women and girls everywhere to take their rightful place in our society. The University continues to commission portraits of remarkable women who have contributed to the legacy of Queen’s and have further unveilings planned including an upcoming portrait of Monica McWilliams.”

Queen’s is the first institution on the island of Ireland, and second in the UK, to receive the prestigious Athena Swan Gold Award, which recognises Higher Education institutions’ dedication to promoting gender equality.

It was during Baroness Foster’s time as a Law student at the University that she took her first steps into politics, joining the Queen’s Unionist Association, where she went on to serve as Chair from 1992 to 1993. Her roles as the first female leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the first female First Minister of Northern Ireland, marked a historic milestone in Northern Ireland’s political landscape, long dominated by men.

Speaking of the recognition and reflecting on her time at Queen’s, Baroness Foster said:

"It is an immense honour to be recognised in this way by Queen's University… a place that shaped my passion for politics and my belief in the importance of strong leadership.

“As the first female leader of the DUP and the first female First Minister of Northern Ireland, I've always been conscious of the responsibility to lead by example. Representation matters, and when women see themselves reflected in positions of influence, it sends a powerful message that they too can break barriers, challenge conventions, and achieve great things.”

^{Baroness Foster pictured with Queen’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, Vice-President for Governance and External Affairs and Registrar, Dr Ryan Feeney, event host Gareth Gordon, The Lord Bew, and portrait artist Kathryn Warden.}

Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson and Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG) is a well-known businesswoman in the region. Following Her Excellency’s introduction to Queen’s, Dubai Healthcare City Authority selected the University as the academic partner in the development and establishment of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences which has resulted in world class healthcare education and research outputs.

Her Excellency Dr Al Gurg said of the acknowledgement:

“It feels surreal to think that my portrait would share a space with so many esteemed figures in the historic Great Hall. For many years, the only portrait of a woman in this hall was that of Queen Victoria, painted by Sir George Hayter in 1838. I am delighted to see this balance is being addressed through the Queen’s Gender Initiative, which actively commissions portraits of visionary women associated with Queen’s.”

^{HE Dr Raja Al Gurg pictured with portrait artist Catherine Creaney in Queen's Great Hall}

Echoing similar sentiments, Baroness Foster added:

“I'm proud to stand alongside so many incredible women as part of this initiative by Queen's to promote gender equality and to recognise the remarkable contributions women make across all fields.”

Catherine Creaney is a celebrated artist who was one of six artists commissioned in 2019 by the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland for their Women on Walls campaign.

Kathryn Warden is a renowned portrait artist who specialises in capturing the essence of her subjects along with their physical likeness.

Media

For media enquiries contact alana.fisher@qub.ac.uk