Artist Rachel Wilkinson and Laurence Whitehouse with the portrait.
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Delight at fine portrait
June 28, 2007
A RESPECTED former director of faculty at a Farnborough college has expressed his delight at seeing his portrait unveiled for the first time at the centre named after him.
When the country’s first e-assessment centre was opened at Farnborough Sixth Form College last year, it was named after director of faculty Laurence Whitehouse, who had inspired many students at the college over the years.
This week, Mr Whitehouse unveiled a portrait of himself to be hung in the new building.
College artist Rachel Wilkinson, left, had been commissioned by the college to paint the portrait after winning a competition among the college’s art students.
Rachel, 18, a second year student from Manor Park, Farnborough, won the competition after entering a portrait of her father, Dr Mike Wilkinson.
Mr Whitehouse had not seen his portrait until he unveiled it.
A visibly moved Mr Whitehouse said: “I was invited to be a judge of the competition last year and I was struck by the way Rachel used colour and texture to portray her father.
“I have never had a portrait of me painted before but I am delighted by the way Rachel has captured me in the context of travels around the world. It is wonderful and it is humbling.”
Before the unveiling, Rachel was presented with a cheque for £500 by college principal Dr John Guy. He said: “This building is a tribute to a great man who has devoted his working life to inspiring students. In turn, we hope that Rachel’s portrait will be an inspiration to many more young art students in the years to come. We will hang it with pride in the new building.”
Rachel, who has just finished her A-levels, has won a place at Chelsea College of Art to begin her undergraduate studies in September. She said: “I was very nervous when the portrait was unveiled because I didn’t know how it would be received – but everyone seems to be delighted, especially Laurence Whitehouse!”
When the country’s first e-assessment centre was opened at Farnborough Sixth Form College last year, it was named after director of faculty Laurence Whitehouse, who had inspired many students at the college over the years.
This week, Mr Whitehouse unveiled a portrait of himself to be hung in the new building.
College artist Rachel Wilkinson, left, had been commissioned by the college to paint the portrait after winning a competition among the college’s art students.
Rachel, 18, a second year student from Manor Park, Farnborough, won the competition after entering a portrait of her father, Dr Mike Wilkinson.
Mr Whitehouse had not seen his portrait until he unveiled it.
A visibly moved Mr Whitehouse said: “I was invited to be a judge of the competition last year and I was struck by the way Rachel used colour and texture to portray her father.
“I have never had a portrait of me painted before but I am delighted by the way Rachel has captured me in the context of travels around the world. It is wonderful and it is humbling.”
Before the unveiling, Rachel was presented with a cheque for £500 by college principal Dr John Guy. He said: “This building is a tribute to a great man who has devoted his working life to inspiring students. In turn, we hope that Rachel’s portrait will be an inspiration to many more young art students in the years to come. We will hang it with pride in the new building.”
Rachel, who has just finished her A-levels, has won a place at Chelsea College of Art to begin her undergraduate studies in September. She said: “I was very nervous when the portrait was unveiled because I didn’t know how it would be received – but everyone seems to be delighted, especially Laurence Whitehouse!”
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