Ian McKellen

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Ian McKellen

by Clive Smith
oil on canvas, 2001-2002
13 1/4 in. x 8 1/8 in. (336 mm x 206 mm)
Commissioned as part of the First Prize, 1999 BP Portrait Award, 2002
Primary Collection
NPG 6610

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Clive Smith (1967-), Artist. Artist or producer of 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Clive Smith has exhibited twice in the BP Portrait Awards. This small-scale head and shoulders portrait over several sittings in the actor's New York apartment during his appearance in Strindberg's Dance of Death with actress Helen Mirren.

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Events of 2001back to top

Current affairs

Labour wins a second landslide general election victory campaigning on improvements to public services based on private finance projects. The Conservative party proved itself to be out-of-touch by ignoring public services and campaigning on the issue of Britain's membership of the EU. The day after the election William Hague resigned as leader of the Conservative Party.

Art and science

The Eden Project opens in Cornwall. The eco-centre, conceived by Tim Smit, replicates tropical and temporal climates and houses plants from all over the world in two domed biomes. The project is both a large-scale scientific experiment to study the environmental changes in different biomes over time, and a visitor attraction teaching the public about the natural environment.

International

On 11th September (9/11) America comes under foreign attack for the first time since Pearl Harbour when Islamic Fundamentalist terrorists hijack four planes, flying two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, and one into the Pentagon; the fourth plane crashed in a field.
George Bush launches his 'War on Terror' by invading Afghanistan to overthrown the Taliban and capture Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda.

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