ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 04
Dean Breslin (he/him)
Surrounding the shield are both Pride and LGBTQ+ symbols such as the Pink Triangle, the Lavender Rhino, the Lambda and various gender symbols, honouring the history of queer resistance and the ongoing fight for equality. Together, the elements blend tradition with activism, celebrating how our pride and culture are interwoven— and how our future is ours to shape. Dean Breslin is a self-taught digital artist and photographer based in Cork. Speaking about his creative practice, he said: “I work primarily on Procreate as well as with Adobe products. I see my artistic practice as rather fluid and intuitive, shaped by curiosity rather than a fixed style. I started out predominantly using only pencil and charcoal as I had a strong preference for its finish and a love of black and
white design, but when I started to draw digitally, I was able to learn and practice a variety of new methods and styles that I would otherwise not have considered. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, imagination, and evolving themes, I try to explore and incorporate a range of subjects and designs. This submitted piece for Cork Pride responds to this year’s theme, offering a personal interpretation of identity, possibility, and self-expression. I look to approach each new work as a standalone concept, letting the idea guide the form, colour, and tone. Alongside a strong sense of place and openness to push myself, my work reflects a desire to connect, represent, and explore both digitally and emotionally.”
This piece was created for Cork Pride, inspired by the 2025 theme A Fearless Future: Your Pride, Your Culture. At the heart of the illustration is a bold Dara Knot symbolising strength, endurance, connection, and Ireland’s deep-rooted cultural heritage. The knot breaks through a protective shield, representing the shattering of old boundaries and the courage to move forward—fearlessly and authentically.
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