He has returned back to his studio in Ibiza to work on a portrait of the late Sir Charles Belgrave, an advisor to the kingdom’s rulers from 1926 until 1957, after launching an exhibition of stunning sketches of legendary celebrities at Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH).
The 58-year-old former art director of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “It’s strange to be asked to draw someone you don’t know. It sometimes can feel quite impersonal. I usually draw people or celebrities who have touched my life or whom I respect.
“I have now researched Sir Charles Belgrave and have the utmost respect for the man and what he contributed to Bahrain. I only hope I can do him justice.” Jack unveiled 17 of his black and white penned portraits of iconic faces in the continuing exhibition entitled ‘Do What You Love’ as part of the bicentenary celebrations of British-Bahraini relations and also staged workshops in local schools during his fortnight stay.
“I was asked by the British Embassy to be part of the BHUK bicentennial celebrations and thought it would be a great honour to participate,” he said. “I packed my bags and artwork and set off on what I believed would be a great adventure. I was not disappointed! “Bahrain is a vibrant, very exciting kingdom with such diversity but perfectly blended to produce a culture that crosses boundaries. “Even coming from the West, my breath was taken away by the Bahrain skyline.
I live on the Balearic island of Ibiza, where the tallest skyscraper stands at four floors! “Although I didn’t see a lot of the country in 14 days because of the exhibition and commitments to do art workshops in schools, I was given an insight into life in the kingdom by the wonderful people I met in Bahrain over too short a period of time. “The trip to Bahrain hopefully was
successful not just for myself but also the schoolchildren and I hope they found some inspiration from the workshops to go on to produce some great art in the future. They seemed to be very enthusiastic.” Jack’s works of art have now grown in demand from galleries all over the world and, in particular, the English capital where they have been displayed at The Sheaf next to the Shard in Southwark Street and the Westbank Gallery.
He described the show in Bahrain as being ‘very successful’ and four pieces of his work were snapped up by collectors in the first week featuring country singer Johnny Cash, colourful UK politician Boris Johnson and late singer Amy Winehouse.
“I also have five commissions from people who liked my work who decided not to have an icon but to commission me to draw a family member. The show is on for another two months and other works will replace the ones that are sold, thereby making the exhibition fresh with something different to view.”
But his heart and mind is currently on capturing the image of Sir Charles, a project which he described as an ‘honour’ to work on. “It’s an honour I have been given from the people of Bahrain,” he explained. “I will be donating the piece as part of the Bahrain-UK bicentennial celebrations – may it still be around in another 200 years of peace and friendship between our two countries.”
“I will be working from old photographs of Sir Charles that I received from the embassy but I have also photo-researched other images which have been digitally-enhanced from original ‘Box Brownie’ photographs, making the images a little clearer so even with my old eyes, I can see a bit more detail!
“From start to finish, the commission should take about a month. I like to produce initial drawings trying to capture the essence of the subject then I work from these to draw the portrait proper. “I’d just like to thank everyone I’ve met in the Kingdom of Bahrain for their kindness and support during my stay.
I will return to visit the friends I have made in the near future.” Once completed the work is set to be presented to Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador Dr Dhafer Alumran, assistant undersecretary for GCC Affairs and Western Countries, either at a ceremony in the kingdom or at the Bahrain embassy in London.
