The last portrait of Heath Ledger which the actor sat for less than two months before his death, goes on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney on 8 March. The painting is one of the works shortlisted for the 2008 Archibald Prize, Australia’s top award for portraiture which has gone to artist Del Kathryn Barton for a self-portrait.
Speaking to The Art Newspaper, Melbourne artist Vincent Fantauzzo (shown above in front of his painting) says he intends to give the triple portrait of Ledger to the actor’s family: “His parents, family and friends really want the painting. It seems only right as we did the sitting at his mum’s house in Perth and she was very much a part of the process, making us tea and crumpets and watching from the sideline.”
Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment on 22 January, aged only 28, from an overdose of prescription pills. Fantauzzo says Ledger “was one of the most charismatic people I’ve worked with. Before the actual sitting we sat around for hours and talked about art. He was witty, sarcastic, and a lot of fun, but once we started he was all concentration—in the zone. I left feeling truly inspired.”
Rest In Peace
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment