The search for 50 faces for 50 portraits

Award-winning artist Mertim Gokalp is searching for 50 Hunters Hill residents to sit for a portrait.

Mertim Gokalp in his studio. Pictures: Tim Pascoe

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Mertim Gokalp has painted everyone from celebrity chefs to rugby players and newsreaders — and now he wants to paint you.

The Hunters Hill painter is embarking on a project to paint 50 portraits of Hunters Hill residents in a project called the Faces of Hunters Hill.

Gokalp specialises in realistic portraits and in the past has entered the Archibald, the Doug Moran Portrait Prize and the Black Swan Art Prize, as well as won the Hunters Hill Art Prize twice.

Mertim needs just half an hour with his subjects to create the portraits.

After completing a similar project in Balmain where his studio was based, Gokalp is now bringing the concept home.

“Hunters Hill has a special place in my heart, as the very first prize back in early days of my career was also in Hunters Hill, when I won the regional art prize in the Hunters Hill Art Award,” he said.

“As a local living in the area for two years now, I think it was time for me to get the community involved in an art event.”

For those interested in taking part, Gokalp needs half an hour with his subjects to take reference photos that he will then use to create the portrait.

The Hunters Hill artist has gained critical acclaim for his portraits.

He said he hoped participants will “be reminded that they are part of a whole”.

“In our modern societies, ‘belonging’ is more important than ever,” he said.

“Hunters Hill has this great feel of a community; nevertheless, we all sit in our houses by ourselves, isolated by walls of our rooms … but getting involved in such a project, people will be reminded of their surroundings again, and feel the connection to the places we live in and how it has a unique impact on our identities.”

Mertim’s painting of celebrity chef Manu Feildel, called Bon Appetit, won the 2018 Hunters Hill Art prize.

At the end of the process, an exhibition will be held in Hunters Hill.

To take part or find out more email [e-mail] or visit mertim.com.au

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