Nobber artist features in prestigious art auction in aid of Dublin Simon Community

A painting by Nobber artist Jordan Cassidy will be among artworks by Guggi and Jim Fitzpatrick and memorabilia from musicians like Hozier, Imelda May, Caroline Corr and Chris de Burgh that are featuring in an online auction to raise funds for the Dublin Simon Community.

The "Community of Hope: Arts for Dublin Simon" online auctions aims to raise €60,000 for frontline services provided by the Dublin Simon Community and will be officially launched at Gormleys Auction House, Frederick Street, Dublin, this evening, where the lots are being showcased.

23-year-old freelance artist Jordan Cassidy was delighted to be asked to submit a piece for this prestigious auction and see his work among 200 lots from Ireland's top artists, musicians and public figures.

The event is the vision of John O’Donnell, an artist with a philanthropic spirit, who after decades abroad, found himself confronted by the pervasive issue of homelessness in Dublin. Stirred into action, O’Donnell has mobilised his network, in collaboration with Dublin Simon Community, to curate this significant event.

Having collaborated before with Jordan Cassidy on another online auction for the Trinity Access Programme which is currently under way , John asked Jordan to also donate a piece to the Simon Community Auction.

Jordan, a son of Barbara and Derek Cassidy, is a past pupil of Nobber National School and O'Carolan College, Nobber. He recently graduated with a BA Honour in Fine Art from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and now lives in Dublin where he works from a studio space he has rented there.

Jordan has a keen interest in portraiture. "My practice focuses on camp subjects painted in an abstract realism manner, often pulling from my experience in fields such as queer nightlife and club photography," he said.

"As a founder of Thrust Collective, an arts and music collective in Dublin, I frequently work in collaboration with various young Irish creatives to produce music and art events, recently curating my first exhibition alongside the Thrust team named ‘Lughnasagh’ in the Phase Arts Space.

"I'm delighted to be involved and donate a piece for the ‘Community of Hope: Artists for Dublin Simon’ charity auction in aid of the Dublin Simon Community. The auction is being run online by Adam’s Auctioneers and hosted in Gormleys Gallery on Frederick St. Over 150 revered artists, musicians, and public figures from across Ireland have graciously contributed to this initiative, aimed at bolstering the essential frontline services provided by Dublin Simon to combat homelessness."

The painting, which is oil on panel, is the largest Jordan has exhibited at 120cm by 120cm.

Another painting by Jordan is currently featuring in another online auction, also organised by art lecturer John O'Donnell for the Trinity Access Programme, who asked him to get involved.

"Crime Party" is a 120 x 80 cm oil on wood panel artwork.

Meanwhile, Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, expressed gratitude for the upcoming event: “This auction is more than a fundraiser—it’s a lifeline. The incredible generosity of John O’Donnell and the artistic community is pivotal in our ongoing mission to end homelessness.”

The public is invited to preview the collection online or in-person at Gormleys Fine Art, Frederick Street, Dublin, between 24th and 28th November. Potential purchasers can register to bid at Adams.ie where the full catalogue will be available online. The auction will close in the first week of December and winning bidders will be notified.