Multiple Portraits Attest to Kendo's Iconic Status

It takes a truly remarkable individual to be the Inspiration for a Work of Art -
but precisely this has happened to Kendo Nagasaki on Multiple Occasions.

Sir Peter Blake; Terence Donovan; The Bingham Brothers; Paul Yates; Rob Poiner; Katinka Herbert - all remarkable artists with one thing in common - they have all chosen to immortalise Kendo Nagasaki in their art.

First was Sir Peter Blake, following an ingenious press article on the subject of whom certain masters in their field might like to emulate - in Sir Peter's case, he would have liked to have been Kendo Nagasaki. The press article grew into an award-winning "Arena" television programme called "Masters Of The Canvas", in which the master of the canvas in the wrestling ring (Kendo) had his unique image committed to the canvas on the painter's easel by the brilliant Sir Peter. The resulting portrait of Kendo was recognised as critically important modern art, and was bought for a private collection for a very large sum. It has since moved to another private collection, and is thus being kept safe for the nation.

Terence Donovan was also quick to spot Kendo's striking image, and he applied his brilliant use of light to take an exquisite portrait photograph of Kendo. The resultant picture features Kendo in full Samurai regalia against a bright reflective blue background, and is so vivid that it has a life of its own.

Tim Bingham contacted Kendo to ask about painting his portrait for inclusion in a series, called "People Of Our Time." In the experience of both the Bingham Brothers, Kendo had remained an unforgettable icon, not just as the consummate sporting athlete, but also one with a uniquely powerful image which was completely in harmony with his indomitable performances in the wrestling ring; Kendo was thus an essential inclusion in their series of portraits.

Paul Yates is no stranger to many fields of art, from poetry to painting to film-making - indeed, it was Paul Yates who put the excellent "Masters Of The Canvas" television programme together. Yates also created a collage of unique visions of Kendo for the popular A2 poster, "Images of Nagasaki", upon which he also included a poem about Kendo, called "Mirror". A man with truly deep insights into the nature of Kendo Nagasaki, the art of Paul Yates in all its forms celebrates Kendo in the highest ways possible.

Rob Poiner is a talented and visionary young artist, and he painted the scenes for the unique short animation "Kendo Nagasaki - Genesis In Portrait". Rob's extremely fine eye for line was translated with sheer raw talent into a huge sequence of exquisite snap-shot paintings for the animation, which were all individually photographed and assembled to create the full animation. Kendo is particularly pleased with the unique "moving art" form which the animation projects so excellently, and this unique art form portrays Kendo with a new depth and dynamism.

Celebrated portrait photographer Katinka Herbert wanted a very special introduction to her new book on Mexican masked wrestlers, and she approached Kendo for a portrait photograph of himself to accompany a foreword for the book, written by Kendo. As the consummate masked wrestler - certainly in Britain and probably world-wide - Kendo's portrait photo and words introduce Katinka's exquisite book as only Kendo can - you are immediately snapped to attention by the commanding presence of the Samurai, his image representing all that is so fearsome about him and which commands so much respect.

We are indeed fortunate to have been blessed by the presence of such a dominant, brilliant, uncompromising, inspiring star as Kendo Nagasaki, and it is entirely fitting that appreciation of these exquisite qualities continues to be expressed in the medium of art - a medium which as it inspires in its own right, serves to amplify the magnitude of the source inspiration, the great Kendo Nagasaki.

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