Sometimes a love a film and art can be combined with wanting to help others. British artist Lincoln Townley has kindly donated six paintings to The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA Los Angeles). Each of these paintings can be purchased through Art.net and proceeds will go to BAFTA Los Angeles’ educational and community outreach programming.
Townley describes his work on paintings such as these by saying:
“These are powerful men and women. They have a quality about them that captivates us all. They’re like a canvas onto which we project our hopes, dreams and desires. It is testament to their skill and magnetism that they make this possible by opening their light and dark sides to us. We feel they belong to us and the pressures of being what we want them to be while sustaining a private identity of their own often pushes their resilience to the limit. They live life on the edge and that edge is what I’ve tried to capture in my portraits”.
Each of these six paintings is of a current 2015 British Academy Britannia Awards honoree, hosted this year by comedian Jack Whitehall in Los Angeles. The event honours “outstanding British talent or exceptional American talent by virtue of their strong connection to the British industry through their body of work, and celebrate the long-standing collaboration between the British and American industries”.
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The first painting is of actor Orlando Bloom, known for his roles as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, as well as his role of Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. He is to receive the Britannia Humanitarian Award presented by the Beazley Group.
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 The second painting is of James Corden, host of The Late Late Show. He has also done much acting in films, television, and on the stage. He is to receive the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry.
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 The third painting is of Harrison Ford, known for his portrayal of Han Solo in the Star Wars films and as the titular character of the Indiana Jones movies. He will be reprising his role of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Ford is to receive the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment.
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 The fourth painting is of Director Sam Mendes, known for his directing of American Beauty and Skyfall, as well as the most recent James Bond film Spectre. He’s also directed for the stage before, including a production of Cabaret in the early 1990’s. He is to receive the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing presented by the GREAT Britain campaign.
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 The fifth painting is of stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Amy Schumer. She is known for performances in work such as the recent film Trainwreck. She is to receive the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy presented by Kodak.
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 The sixth and final painting is of actress Meryl Streep. She has had a long and distinguished career, including award winning performances in films such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, and The Iron Lady. She is to receive the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film for this year.
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