Sit-down Sunday: One of Ireland’s Finest Ever Artists...

In 2012, I conducted my only ever interview with the talented Graham Knuttel. As a tribute to mark the first anniversary of his sad passing at the age of 69 on 27 May 2023, here’s the full article.

Graham Knuttel once swore blind that you wouldn’t catch him traipsing down the aisle. The acclaimed artist certainly didn’t appear to be cut out for domestic life after once breaking-up with a girlfriend because he was exasperated by her taste in TV shows.

In his late 50s at the time of our interview and with a string of failed romances — including a high-profile affair with former gossip columnist Gayle Killilea, who later wed property developer Sean Dunne — behind him, it appeared that Knuttel would remain true to his word.

So, denizens of Dublin’s socialite scene were probably shocked when they opened the Irish Daily Mail one Saturday in 2012 to see the newspaper’s exclusive pictures of Knuttel’s wedding to restaurateur Ruth Mathers.

Shortly before he jetted off to New York on honeymoon, I caught up with the painter, who is notoriously guarded about his private life. Until now, he had refused to speak publicly about his long-term relationship with Ruth.