Portrait commission

Introduction

The Civic Awareness Commission (CAC) is a small steering group Chaired by Adam Trimingham, a Freeman of the city, and with a membership drawn from current and ex Councillors with an interest in the civic heritage of the city. Its purpose is to increase civic awareness and understanding, promoting the great civic history of the city to a wider public.

As part of its role in raising awareness of important figures in the history of the city, the CAC is undertaking its first public commission. For this, proposals are invited for the production of a contemporary portrait of the late Henry Allingham.

Background

Henry Allingham died in Brighton in July 2009 at the age of 113 years he was an adopted son of the city and his funeral was held here. Henry Allingham was the oldest ever surviving member of any of the British Armed forces and the oldest surviving veteran of the First World War. In his lifetime, he received many honours and awards for his First World War service and for his longevity. His hometown was Eastbourne and he was awarded the Freedom of the Town in 2006. In May 2006, due to his failing eyesight and just before his 110th birthday, he moved to St Dunstan’s, a charity for blind ex-service personnel at Ovingdean near Brighton and was also became a Freeman of the City here. Henry Allingham became in his later life, a symbol of World War 1 and a living reminder of that tragic war. He visited schools, took part in many anniversary services, events and ceremonies.

The Commission

The CAC wishes to commission a portrait of Henry Allingham to be hung / displayed initially in Brighton Town Hall, one of our main civic buildings. Historically, portraiture has been used as a means to celebrate figures in public life. These have traditionally been representational works; the CAC is open to a wider range of contemporary proposals for the portrait in terms of the medium used – but would wish the portrait to be clearly representational of Henry Allingham.

The portrait of Henry Allingham is to be developed from source material to include photographs and other documentation of Henry Allingham’s life, which will be made available. The portrait could represent Henry Allingham either as a young man or in later life.

The portrait is likely to be used by the city in future events and programmes designed to commemorate the war.

Technical Details

• The work is to be hung and therefore 2 dimensional
• The size should not exceed 1m²
• The work can be in any medium that works 2 dimensionally
• There is a fee of £3k available for this commission to include all expenses

Timescale and Process

Proposals submitted should include an outline of the approach no longer than one page in length plus evidence of previous experience in this field.

Proposals are to be submitted to:

Mark Wall
Civic Awareness Commission
Brighton and Hove City Council
Kings House
Grand Avenue
Hove

A commissioning panel including representatives from the CAC and Brighton and Hove City Council will make a decision on the proposals received by the end of July. It is anticipated that the work would be completed and unveiled to coincide with Armistice Day on November 11th 2010.

Any enquiries should be addressed to Mark Wall at the above address or via email:

mark.wall@brighton-hove.gov.uk or telephone: 01273 291006

Deadline: 5pm on Friday 2nd July
http://www.axisweb.org/opOPPO.aspx?ENQID=43067

Posted by Maria Kapajeva on June 25^th 2010