A newly commissioned portrait of Mary Hockaday, Master of Trinity Hall, has been unveiled in the College Dining Hall, marking a significant moment in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of women at Trinity Hall in 2026/7. Painted by renowned artist Paul Benney, the portrait is a striking addition to the Hall and part of a broader rehang of its artwork.
Portrait of the Master unveiled in the Dining Hall
Posted:
05 Nov 2025
Professor Alexander Marr, Picture Steward, said: “It’s an exciting moment to be unveiling this portrait of a distinguished journalist, author, and public figure, who is the first female Master in the College’s history. It’s a picture that brilliantly captures the intelligence and presence of the sitter, reflecting the clarity of purpose and collegiality that Mary Hockaday has brought to the Trinity Hall community.”
The new portrait not only honours the Master’s leadership but also serves as a visual milestone in the evolving story of the College community. The unveiling continues a tradition of celebrating women’s contributions to the College. In 2017, Trinity Hall unveiled a new portrait of Trinity Hall’s first two female Fellows, Dr Sandra Raban and Dr Kareen Thorne. In the portrait, created by BP Portrait Award 2017 winner Benjamin Sullivan, Kareen (Biochemistry) and Sandra (Medieval History) are shown in their gowns sitting at a table with objects representing their respective academic disciplines. As part of Trinity Hall’s Arts Festival in 2023, a new artwork containing plants and soil from the River Cam was added to the Dining Hall, further enriching the Hall’s visual narrative. The Willow will Submerge in Time, created by History of Art alumna Sophie Mei Birkin, is a multi-layered panel in a mounted lightbox that creates a work described as being “somewhere between a sculpture and a painting”.
About the artist
Paul Benney has worked as an artist and musician in both the US and UK and is represented in public collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The National Gallery of Australia, The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Collection, The Eli Broad Foundation, AIG Houston, and Standard Life.
Benney has twice won the public choice award in the BP Portrait Award.
A member of the Neo-Expressionist group of the early 80’s in New York’s East Village, Benney became known for his depictions of stygian themes and dark nights of the soul. He is now based in Suffolk. He is one of the country’s leading portrait artists and has painted many prominent royal, cultural, and political figures.