John Hume: The Full Picture

Writer Stephen Walker and artist Colin Davidson both Bangor based, give revealing insights into the life of John Hume – an icon of Irish political life for decades.

Stephen Walker has covered the politics of Northern Ireland for over thirty years as an award- winning journalist with the BBC, a documentary maker with Spotlight, and a BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent. He has been honoured by the Royal Television Society, the Irish Film and Television Awards and the Association of European Journalists. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books.

In 2023 Stephen left the BBC after 34 years and his book John Hume: The Persuader based on 100 interviews was published. Described by the Irish Times as ‘the definitive biography of John Hume’, the book was a bestseller in December 2023.

Colin Davidson painted the official portrait of former SDLP leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume which was unveiled in the House of Commons. The portrait is based on sketches he made during sittings with Mr Hume in 2016, four years before he died. First elected to the Foyle constituency in 1983, John Hume was MP for the area for 22 years.

Since 2010, Colin’s focus has been on painting grand scale portraits, which have won widespread recognition and many international awards. Davidson’s portrait sitters have included Queen Elizabeth II, Brad Pitt, Ed Sheeran, Liam Neeson, Brian Friel, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Dame Mary Peters, Gary Lightbody and Seamus Heaney. Colin Davidson is currently Chancellor of University of Ulster.