Prof. Pamela Howard

Artist : Prof Pamela Howard

Title : Alec Guinness as Shylock in Merchant of Venice

Medium : White tack & white glue, Brillo pad, mixed media

About

"This Egg is inspired by my work with the late Sir Alec Guinness, where we were doing “The Merchant of Venice” at Chichester Festival Theatre in 1984.  I was also part of the recent SKY ARTS Documentary about Alec Guinness, produced by Brian O’Flaherty, and brought about many memories. I looked at the shape of the egg, and the photo I have of Alec as Shylock and they seemed to be one and the same.  I was working in my studio, and cleaning my paintbrushes I saw an old disused Brillo Pad. I tore the outside of it off and stuck it onto the egg, and it looked just like Shylock’s beard. I had already covered my egg in white tack, and I made a nose and 2 ears and stuck them firmly on.. and then I remembered an old bobble hat in my costume store. And miraculously I found  it.  The bobble was  made of artificial hair, which I cut off and stuck on to my egg, coming underneath the round black tissue paper skull cap I already had planned to use.

I have great respect for Alec’s talents and was honoured to get to know this complex character.”

Terms and Conditions:
All eggs must be collected in person if possible from Chichester Festival Theatre, or can be hand delivered if you live within a 50 mile radius.
For any successful bids from further way or internationally please contact Appeal Director Sarah Mansell to confirm postage, which will be at the bidders expense: sarah.mansell@cft.org.uk