The portrait has been completed and entered into Black Swan with the accompanying artist's statement which speaks tentatively towards the underlying subject of the image:
I have known Richard Woldendorp for 30 years and in a way Richard has been ‘sitting’ for
this portrait for all of this time. For the past five years I have been considering how to
culminate and concentrate these thirty years into an image. The medium that I have used,
of different types of petroleum waxes and oils, involves the building up of many
transparent layers which develops a complex inner structure that is deeper than the
surface of superficial two-dimensional representation. The depth and complexity of this
medium provided the means to capture the side of Richard that is rarely seen but is an
ever-present part of who he is. The other side of Richard’s tenacious grip on life is
reflected in this portrait; the subject of the image is more the vulnerability that is at the core
of his character, rather than the actuality of his face.
Congratulations Nigel! on winning the Black Swan Portrait Awards in Perth with this stunning painting. Have just discovered you have a blog. Hope you don't mind, I just had to mention your well deserved win on my blog. I was at the awards night and heard your acceptance speech which was really good by the way. Had to keep going back and looking at your painting of Richard. Just fabulous, awesome technique, well done.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Brown.
Thank you Stephanie. I am glad you liked the image and thanks for the blog mention!
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