oil on linen
182cm x 152cm
- Portia Geach Memorial Award 2014
oil on linen
152cm x 121cm
John Waters- a film, theatre, television actor and musician whose career spans more than 40 years. He seems to effortlessly glide between these mediums.
John is an accomplished musician and as part of my research on John I attended a performance of his show “ Looking through a Glass Onion”. Here he masterfully combines his skills attributed to theatre acting and musical performance.
The process of portraiture for me is a collaborative exercise and relies upon breaking down the initial impressions and also perhaps public persona’s.
Though our meetings in the studio, we were able to get to know each other a little more. Here he revealed his strengths and perhaps some of his weaknesses.
He is a softly spoken man that can belt out a powerful sound that rocks you to your core. His eyes are engaging and never wander from focus.
I discovered that beneath this strength of character lay a sense of vulnerability and a touch of melancholy.John uttered at one time, “..brave enough to carry on despite my vulnerably “.. suggesting the angst of being a performer.
Artist Statement – 2014