Dame Vivienne Westwood Collage

Dame Vivienne Westwood
A Used Postage Stamp Portrait
This picture is composed of approximately 2800 used postage stamps which are available in a huge range of colours and designs.. The stamp colours are not altered and post marks are still visible on close observation. This picture was created on quality deep edge canvas. It is not framed and should not be displayed in direct sunlight although all canvases are varnished twice and have a coat of U.V. protection.
Vivienne Westwood was a fashion designer extraordinaire. She undeniably, ‘put a spanner in the works’ of the comfortable elitism of the fashion industry in the 60s and 70s, continuing her designs throughout her life up to the moment of her demise.
To this end in her portrait I have tried to give a flavour of her philosophy using a torn jagged edged Union Jack in the background. I incorporated ‘Tudor’ slashed sleeves to her dress using British commemorative stamps of various flowers inside the panes representing the seasons which was one of her favourite themes.
Her face I rendered in shadow on one side which represented the two sides of Punk; the humour and the darker side. The brighter colours on the rest of her face show the sparkling eyes of her wit and the warmth of her personality.