This multi-media collage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was selected from more than 1800 entries as one of the 40 finalists in the SPI National Portrait Award 2013. The SPI National Portrait Award exhibition has traveled extensively across South Africa. This work is now in a private collection.
My father, Venerable Alan John Butler, was friends with Desmond Tutu – so this portrait has great meaning for me.
Many of Desmond Tutu’s quotes are included in this piece,
including, “Each one of us can be an oasis of peace.”
This portrait is part of an ongoing series of work “Thoughts and Words”, which focuses on the words and quotations of great leaders and thinkers throughout history and into the modern era. The series venerates those who have dedicated their lives to the upliftment of humanity – and aims to present their thoughts and words in a new and inspirational way.
Each portrait is assembled predominantly from the words and quotations of the person being portrayed.