belfasttelegraph

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Winehouse portrait goes on show

The portrait of Amy Winehouse shows her trademark eyeliner

A painting of Amy Winehouse has joined images of Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen on display at the National Portrait Gallery.

Amy-Blue captures the Back To Black singer looking down and is painted in hues of blue and black.

Cropped around her head, it was painted shortly after Amy died in July last year at the age of 27.

Artist Marlene Dumas, who is known for tackling subjects such as female beauty and pornography in her work, painted the portrait.

The gallery's curator said the picture's "rich, translucent blues... allude to Amy Winehouse's musical influences as much as to the melancholy details of her career."

The singer's father, Mitch Winehouse, said: "It is a fantastic piece of work and we are fascinated to know how Amy was seen and remembered by family, friends and artists of all kinds.

"With the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Amy is our inspiration and it is profoundly moving to find that she still inspires so many others too."

The small painting, purchased with the help of fundraising charity the Art Fund, does not feature the singer's famous beehive but shows Amy, who battled addictions to drink and drugs, wearing her distinctive black eyeliner.

The London gallery displays thousands of portraits and the Winehouse image, which has a wall to itself, is the first portrait visitors will see when they walk through the door.

The gallery's director, Sandy Nairne, said the painting, purchased from the Frith Street Gallery, was an "important portrait of an influential singer and songwriter".

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Your Horoscopes by Russell Grant

Gemini:

Your youthful enthusiasm prompts you to do something very daring. Whether it's submitting creative work for review, asking for a first date, or applying for a plum position is immaterial. The important thing is to take a chance on your happiness. Gambles have a way of paying off. A youngster's progress at school is cause for celebration. It's important to enjoy the happy moments, because they will sustain your young friend through the low points. This is one of the most valuable lessons you will impart.More