A print by artist Michael Kirkman, one of a series of six commissioned by the House of Commons to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and capture images of Portcullis House, was revealed today for the first time.
Michael Kirkman’s work gives an insight into a MPs office in Portcullis House, many of which overlook the Palace of Westminster, included in this view, and creating a link between the two Parliamentary buildings.
Background to the commission:
The role of the Works of Art Collection is to document the history, people and activities of Parliament and it provides a valuable record of these aspects of Parliamentary life and how they change and develop over time. Topographical works, documenting the site and buildings of Westminster make up an important element of the Collection. Portcullis House, which was formally opened by the Queen in 2001, is currently under-represented in the Collection and this commission helps address this omission. Works of art are regularly used by the Education and Outreach departments to explain the work of Parliament. The Collection hangs throughout the Parliamentary Estate and is accessible to those who visit the building on tours and via www.parliament.uk/art.
In instigating this Commission the Works of Art Committee were keen to support UK artists. Each artist received a fee of £1,750 for the Commission. Each artist undertook a residency in Portcullis House when they were able to observe, sketch and photograph. Working with this source material the artists developed the artwork for their prints. A proof was produced and agreed by the Works of Art Committee before the artists produced an edition of prints. The House of Commons receives two copies of each print into its Collection, the artist’s proof and the first print of the edition. The rest of the edition remains with the artists for general sale either as sets or individually.
Members of the public on the Contemporary Portraiture in Portcullis House tour [link] will be able to see the prints on display in Portcullis House. The prints together with a exhibition explaining the background to the commission and how the prints were made will on display during Open House weekend when Portcullis House is open to the public free of charge.
Image:
‘Untitled’ by Michael Kirkman, linocut, edition of 30 (WOA 7382)