Demand For Brit Artist Soars With Texas Exhibition

Actor MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY at the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie Sahara, at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood.
April 04, 2005 Los Angeles, CA.
© 2005 Paul Smith / Featureflash*** USA ONLY ***

Brit Artist Lincoln Townley has been invited to Houston, Texas, USA, to exhibit a collection of his paintings including an ICON of Hollywood heartthrob Matthew McConaughey. The show has been organised by Maddox fine art gallery in London’s Mayfair, where Lincoln has recently exhibited his Utopia collection of which all have now been sold.

The artist recently displayed his ICONS collection at London’s Somerset House and the event was attended by celebrities including legendary actor Sir Michael Caine.

The London born artist has achieved global recognition for his ICONS, a collection of portraits of the world’s biggest and most powerful stars including Sir Michael Caine, Prince, Bono, Al Pacino, Gary Oldman, Dame Judi Dench, John Cleese and many others . But Lincoln is also recognised for his other paintings which explore the darker side of the human personality.

Recently Lincoln painted Sir Michael Caine and after presenting him the painting the legendary actor said: “There’s no doubt in my opinion that Lincoln is the next Andy Warhol.”

Lincoln has now been invited to exhibit his ICON paintings as well as a few remaining pieces from his extremely popular Hollywood collection. The exhibition at La Colombe d’Or in Houston, Texas will be attended by actor Matthew McConaughey and a selection of major art collectors and buyers from across the United States. The latest of Lincoln’s original oil works sold for a staggering €650,000 once again bought by an American buyer living in New York.

He has been invited to exhibit more of his work in America after successful events in both LA and New York due to the high demand for his work.

Last month Lincoln sold a painting of boxing legend Muhammed Ali for a staggering £510,000 after massive overseas demand following Brexit. Earlier this year his painting of pop icon Prince sold for £300,000. Overall Lincoln’s unique style has grown in global popularity and his prices have seen an increase of over 500% over the past two years.

The artist, best known for his ICONS collection painted Ali just before he died. But after ‘The Greatest’ died last month at the age of 74 a bidding war started for the iconic painting between a London based art investor and two American collectors.

The painting finally went to one of the US collectors following the near collapse of the pound which has intensified fears over the impact of Britain leaving the EU, causing investors to suspend trading in the UK commercial property market.

However the weak pound has meant the demand for UK exports has increased and the US art collector estimated he saved almost $100,000 on the deal.

Recently there was a 31-year low for sterling, which has already tumbled steeply in the wake of last month’s referendum result. At one stage it dipped below $1.28 for the first time since 1985.

Lincoln will be joined by his actress wife Denise Welch at La Combe d’Or, Houston, Texas for the VIP event on August 13, the exhibition of Lincoln’s work and other artists will run from August 9-16 (for more details please go to www.lacolombedor.com or visit www.lincolntownley.com).

Lincoln said: “Texas is known for its powerful people and I’m sure they will get the energy which my work has become known for across the world, I’m excited to be unveiling my new ICON portrait of the incredible actor Matthew McConaughey whose onscreen presence I feel is second to none. This show is extremely important for my ongoing growth across America and I’m keen to curate the work to a new audience the demand for my work in the US is constantly growing.”

As BAFTA LA’s official artist-in-residence, Lincoln Townley was commissioned to paint their 2015 Honourees including Meryl Streep, Orlando Bloom and Harrison Ford and these portraits form part of the ICONS collection.

Lincoln returned from Los Angeles earlier this year where he headlined the hugely successful ‘Brit Week’ and unveiled his quadriptych portrait of HM the Queen, a person the artist regards as the ultimate icon.

Lincoln added: “The Icons collection launched three years ago after I painted Russell Brand for a charity and I have since been fortunate enough to have been invited to paint some of the most famous faces the world and explore the fascination of ‘celebrity’.

“The collection has had global interest from established galleries around the world but also many public spaces including four luxury hotels across the UK. This is going to be an extremely exciting evening for collectors and supporters of my ICONS portraits.”

In October this year Lincoln Townley will present his Retrospective at a private event at The Saatchi Gallery.