‘Gritty’ portraits of Hollywood greats unveiled in exhibition
PORTRAITS of some of Hollywood’s best-known actors feature in a starstudded exhibition lifting the veil on silver-screen royalty.
Dan Llywelyn Hall was granted unprecedented access to Tinseltown’s biggest names after being made the first artist-inresidence at the Cannes Festival earlier this year.
He got the kind of creative freedom most directors could only dream after being able to pick and choose which A-listers to work with.
The 34-year-old got up close and personal with legends including Woody Allen, Sir Michael Caine, Gerard Depardieu, Cate Blanchett and Colin Farrell during one-hour sittings. But the Welshman’s uncompro- mising style – which saw him divide opinion for his 2013 gritty portrait of the Queen – aimed to show the stars at their most real.
He said: “Actors are so often so stage managed and guarded about who they really are – and even when you first meet people that you have seen on the screen, you have a preconception of who you think they are – as if you almost know them.
“I tried to leave that baggage at the door and look for the moment when they dropped their guard.”
Barry-born Mr Llywelyn Hall said two actors which stood out for him were Italian Job star Sir Michael and sardonic US funnyman Allen.
“I liked Woody Allen because he was not an actor and was not self conscious at all – he was more about ideas,” he added.
“Michael Caine was also interesting because he was so animated and mused about youth.”
Beyond The Red Carpet runs at Staffords Gallery, 24 Cecil Court, London until July 6.