Antony Gormley

Artist

Painted in September 2009

Acrylic on canvas - 30 inch x 24 inch

Given to Antony in October 2009

Artist Antony Gormley was commissioned to create the 'One and Other' art project to allow people to stand on the plinth in Trafalgar Square in London and perform whatever they wish for one hour. This would continue 24 hours a day for 100 days.

Each person’s hour would be streamed live on the internet.

34,000 people applied and I was fortunate to be one of the 2,400 people chosen.

I displayed my paintings there for one hour at 8am on 14th September 2009, and painted this portrait of Sir Antony Gormley as a thank you for the opportunity.

I travelled to London the day before and stayed in a hotel with my dad. We got up at 5am the next day and registered at the One and Other studio in Trafalgar Sqaure at 6am.

I was quite nervous but the crew at the studio were wonderful and made me feel very welcome.

I was taken to the plinth at 8am. It was quite windy so I had to secure my paintings to a chair while I was up there.

I loved every minute on the plinth, a wonderful opportunity I shall remember forever.

Later, on 14th October, the final day of the One and Other project, I travelled again to Trafalgar Square where I met Sir Antony Gormley and presented my painting to him as a thank you gift for being on the plinth.

When Sir Antony saw the painting he said "Wow that's absolutely fantastic!" and gladly accepted the gift. He said he would put it up in his studio.