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A Man for all Seasons – Brian Haw,
by Nick Botting. Oil on canvas 43 x 35 cms |
The man who collects faces
THE face is instantly recognisable – Brian Haw, Britain’s longest-serving anti-war campaigner, with the look of the world weary soldier about him.
It was the look that grabbed the imagination of award-winning portrait artist Nick Botting, who decided he must capture Haw’s face on canvas.
Botting, well known for paintings of Hampstead Heath and London’s street scenes, had been walking past Haw at his peace camp opposite the Houses of Parliament one day last year when he decided to approach him being a subject.
“At first Brian was rather shy and said something like: ‘What do you want to paint me for?’” said Botting. “I replied that artists have painted prime ministers and warlords – why not the world’s most famous peace campaigner?”
Haw, who has been camping in Parliament Square for an astonishing six years, finally agreed.
“Brian sat for me about four or five hours a day over a week,” said Botting, who lives at the Angel, Islington. “I describe him on the painting as a man for all seasons,” said Botting, whose portraits, including the one of Haw, can be seen at the Portland Gallery, St James’s.
“He seems to withstand all that the weather can throw at him.”
For the Haw painting Botting was inspired by war photographer Don McCullen’s pictures of US troops in Vietnam: “McCullen’s pictures have a slightly war weary shell shock look about them. Brian reminds me of a McCullen GI with his 1,000-yard stare which appears to be looking straight through you.”
Haw liked the finished portrait, but even if he wanted it he couldn’t have afforded it. “It was sold for £2,450 to someone in the legal profession,” said Botting. “But I hope that prints will be available. I’d like one myself.”
Botting made his name painting cricketer Ian Botham. In 2001 he was commissioned by the MCC at Lord’s Cricket Ground to paint the English cricket team during the Test series in Pakistan.
He was the winner of the National Portrait Award in 1999, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Roberson Award in 1997.
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