The many shades of Nelson Mandela’s life have been captured on canvas by a Hunter Valley artist.
The works will not only raise money to support Mandela’s humanitarian work in Africa, but one will be presented to the man himself on his 90th birthday.
Pokolbin painter Greg Wilson’s walls are filled with art that exudes colour, life and energy.
He has many famous portraits to his credit, but possibly the most recognisable is Nelson Mandela.
Greg was asked to paint a portrait of the ageing freedom fighter by an African charity of which Mandela is patron.
So with Cockatiel Jesse on his shoulder, he painted three, two to be auctioned for charity and one for Mandela as a birthday gift.
“It’s really a powerful image of happiness and freedom and there’s another one where he was just released from jail and he was quite exhausted and he’s got a black background reflective of the pain he went through in the 27 years he was in captivity.”
Having narrowly survived his own personal battle with depression, Greg says he can identify with Mandela’s struggle.
“I feel very privileged to be a part of this, and hopefully one day will get to meet the guy. (Bird tweets.) Thanks Jess, I might paint you!”
Greg will travel to South Africa to meet Mandela next year.
