9 January 2008
Stars of stage and screen under spotlight at Guildhall Art
Gallery
Celebrated mime artist, Marcel Marceau, legendary violinist and
conductor, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and Bill Owen, the actor best known
as ‘Compo’ from Last of the Summer Wine, are three of the famous
faces on display at a new exhibition at the Guildhall Art
Gallery.
Theatrical Portraits from Life, which opens 7 February and runs
until 2 March, brings together a collection of 15 portraits by
artist June Crisfield Chapman. Most of the oil paintings are based
on work from a one three-hour session with each sitter.
The full list of portraits is as follows: John Bett, Julian
Bream, Dr Cyril Cusack, Viviana Durante, Henry Goodman, Sir Michael
Horden, Russell Hunter, Freddy Jones, Jane Lapotaire, Maureen
Lipman, Marcel Marceau, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Bill Owen, Geoffrey
Palmer and Bill Paterson.
June Crisfield Chapman says: “I spend a lot of time absorbing
the sitter’s character through listening to what they say and
observing their reactions, and I am fortunate in being able to
capture likenesses and poses quickly. After the sitting, I work up
the completed portrait in my studio by ‘feeling into’ the character
of each sitter, while ensuring that the underlying drawing is
strong and that the brushwork has a sense of immediacy.”
Vivien Knight, curator of the Guildhall Art Gallery, says:
“June’s work is full of depth and character, and I am delighted
that we are exhibiting her work in the gallery. The show will give
visitors an opportunity to come face-with-face with a handful of
amazing portraits of familiar faces, past and present, from stage
and screen.”
Admission to Theatrical Portraits from Life is free on purchase
of a ticket (£2.50 for adults, concessions £1) to the gallery.
Entry to Guildhall Art Gallery is free of charge to City workers
and residents, as well as all day on Fridays and from 3.30pm on
other days.
Ends
Notes for editors
Members of the press who wish to attend a private view on Friday
8 February from 5.30pm - 7.00pm are asked to contact Vivien Knight
on 020 7332 1632 or email
vivien.knight@cityoflondon.gov.uk
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Guildhall Art Gallery, Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at
the Old Bailey, 10,700 acres of open space including Hampstead
Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets, as well as
acting as the London Port Health Authority.
Media enquires to Andrew Buckingham at the City of London: 020
7332 1452, 07795 333060 or email
Andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk