IT’S WILLY WONKART
Show’s miserable Oompa Loompa immortalised on canvas
THE actress who played an Oompa Loompa in the infamous Willy Wonka Experience has inspired a work of art.
Kirsty Paterson, 29, became world famous after a photograph of her at the event, looking miserable, went viral on social media.
Now Kirsty’s character has inspired a painting by artist Ashley Rawson and the work will be displayed at Glasgow’s Stag gallery next week.
Kirsty, 29, said: “Initially I wanted to be a tattoo artist so seeing people making art of the character is amazing.
“When all this came out I was a bit low. My face was so bad in the photograph because at that moment in my life I’d made a big sacrifice to leave my stable job to come home.
“It was a big risk and this was my first acting role in some time. The kids were looking at me and I felt awful. I really hated my life at that point. The picture looks exactly how I felt.
“I think people resonate with the photograph of me because at some point we’ve all done a rubbish job at something or not want to be somewhere. That’s why people can relate.”
Rawson, 49, said: “I saw a photo of Kirsty online and there was something about the image. She looked so miserable.
“Everything about the image was brilliant and I wondered how I could turn it into a piece of art on canvas.
“I’ve gone full orange to tie the idea of an orange Oompa Loompa with Glasgow’s orange and white signature colours, including a cone to show she is a Glasgow legend.
“I’ve given her a coronation with the cone as her crown on her head like the Duke of Wellington.
“I put great effort into making her look 10 times more miserable than she is in the photos because I wanted to exaggerate how fed up she looked.”
He added: “The painting took me two weeks. I did the face a few times because I didn’t think I had captured the misery. The eyes are pools of despair.
“I posted an early version on Instagram and Kirsty got in touch to say she loved it and had shared it on her account.
“The painting will be finished this weekend and Kirsty has agreed to unveil it, which is really nice.
“I haven’t decided on a title yet so if the readers have any ideas I’d love to hear them.”
Rawson, who also works as a part-time graphic design lecturer at the City of Glasgow college, is known for paintings inspired by the city he lives in.
His most famous, Glasgow Kiss, depicts a Rangers and Celtic supporting couple embracing despite their divided loyalties.
The ill-fated Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow spawned viral video and a TV documentary.
Angry parents who took their kids were furious after they were ushered into a sparsely-filled warehouse that featured a few Wonka-themed decorations and a bouncy castle in the corner.
The organiser of the event, local businessman Billy Coull, was forced to shut the doors after only half a day when the police were called to deal with angry customers.
Kirsty, who will attend the Scottish Tattoo Convention at Edinburgh’s O2 Academy today, said: “I like how this painting is exaggerated. I love how I was made orange with bright green hair and I like that it is a close up of the face.
“Ashley is definitely very talented.”
I really hated my life.. the picture looks how i felt kirsty paterson explains story behind photo