Brian places finishing touches on a bronze Elizabeth Taylor,
while Joseph sculpts David Letterman. April 2008
Since 2000 “The Portrait Collection” has chosen men and women who represent their place in society as part of the Faces of the 21st Century Collection with 10 sculptures per year minimum. This years selections will be announced monthly;
January 2008 Norman Mailer
February 2008 Christopher Schildt
March 2008 Vice Regal, Lt Governor Myra Freeman
April 2008 Elizabeth Taylor
May 2008 Jonathan Lewandowski Jaxson
Until the collection reaches its 150-piece size it will only be displayed in sub-collections of 25-50 pieces in galleries meeting our criteria. This project will continue as long as the artists are capable of producing the sculptures; a labor of love to last their lifetime.
Some question the choices and have their own ideas as to who should be included. That’s the beauty of such a project… it provokes thought and discussion bringing forward the accomplishments of a generation. We receive such a vast number of nominations it is truly impossible to say one outshines another. When the body of work over a lifetime makes it an indisputable choice for inclusion our job is easy, there are occupations and people we select that have proven difficult choices. How to say one individual best represents a field over another is sometimes subjective. We try to analyze the impact their story will have on future generations so that their portrait exists with a piece of their work that explains their impact on the news, events, social commentary or arts in today’s society.
We have completed a few sculptures posthumously yet each of these individuals was nominated and their sculpture began before their death. We try to choose representatives who can actively participate in the representation of their life we create.
Two of the selected sculpture each year will be from what we call the builders category, these are men and women who have achieved little or no lasting fame, yet have contributed to society on a local or national level such that their life, like a pebble in a pond, creates ripples that will have a lasting impact. From schoolteacher to local volunteers, an Internet celebrity, a carpenter building homes for Habitats for Humanity, these are people who are chosen to represent the best cross section of society.
We accept no payment or remuneration for inclusion, we ask that if you disagree with one of our choices you nominate another individual with details as to why they should be included. Once included, no piece will be removed from the collection for any reason. Once an individual has been included, their triumphs and tragedies are part of the fabric of their life.
When nominating an individual please include the reason for your nomination.
The builder’s category allows an individual the chance to shine with the luminaries of our generation. It is our belief that every voice has the ability to change the world.
