Painting the world

Peter Farrugia meets internationally-renown portraitist and wildlife artist Don Heywood, exploring the role of fine art in eco-conservation.

Don Heywood has painted some of the most recognisable faces in the world, famous personalities including Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela. However, his art’s strongest message speaks to ecological stewardship and the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage.

I wasn’t sure about how to contact Buckingham Palace, so I found them in the Yellow Pages

After graduating from Leicester College of Art, Heywood worked as a teacher at the London College of Printers.

“I’ve always tried my hand at different things,” says Heywood, “I’ve been a book illustrator, and in the 1970s I redesigned Harvey Nichols, Ken Carr, and some other shops. You’ve got to learn quickly.”

When Heywood went to South Africa (escaping dreary English winters) he discovered a passion for portrait painting.

“I started sketching everything I saw, visiting townships, participating in Zulu ceremonies. Nobody really recorded the natives,” says Heywood. As a mutual relationship of trust and respect developed between the painter and his hosts, he would eventually be asked to paint a portrait of the King of the Zulus.

“I was the only European among thousands of Zulus. In the end I was considered an ‘honourary Zulu’.

“Even with no money they’re able to create their own distinctive identity and I think of my work as a record of that creativity. South Africa really is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

By illustrating the wealth of Africa’s diversity, Heywood has preserved a way of life that’s all but vanished under the pressures of an ever more volatile society.

The collection, entitled ‘Vanishing Faces’, is the only comprehensive work of its kind painted by one artist. It features 50 character and costume studies, all purchased by a prominent South African bank.

The same bank would later commission Heywood to complete a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II – an honour which presented a few challenges of its own.

“I wasn’t sure about how to contact Buckingham Palace, so I found them in the Yellow Pages.”

He was asked to send two pictures which the Queen could review, and based on those, choose whether she would sit for him.

She graciously accepted, and while Heywood painted they talked about Africa. He was struck by how freely she reflected on her experiences in the continent, and how well informed she was about issues affecting the region.

One happy surprise was Her Majesty’s decision to wear the diamond necklace given to her by South Africa on the occasion of her 21st birthday, as part of the official regalia included in the portrait – 21 flawless stones that the Queen calls “my best diamonds”.

Another milestone in Heywood’s career was celebrated with the Smithsonian Institution’s 25th anniversary in 2000. He was commissioned to produce a limited-edition portfolio that includes paintings of the giant panda, cheetah, scimitar-homed oryx, and Bengal tiger. The artist was allowed a privileged view of the researchers at work and granted access to the animals he would paint.

“I have a passion for conservation but also want to look at transience, the reality of things fading. Certain people use animal parts for aphrodisiacs or commercial clothing… these animals are born beautiful and that’s the only bad thing they’ve done,” says the artist.

Although Heywood has lived in Malta for seven years this is his first exhibition here. Held at the Hilton Hotel in St Julian’s, the work on display presents Heywood’s latest wildlife paintings alongside a series of papal portraits. In fact, the exhibition took shape after a peculiar incident involving a drawing of Blessed Pope John Paul II.

A cross mysteriously appeared on the pontiff’s brow and Heywood is at a loss to explain how it got there. “I don’t remember drawing that,” he says, “it wasn’t a conscious act. But I’ve always felt a connection to Pope John Paul – he truly was a great man.”

Asked about the local art scene, Heywood is undecided. “There needs to be more inspiration. University students need to appreciate technique, you’ve got to be excited about art and remember that the best kind of work is timeless.”

With so much already accomplished, what about the future? “I’m curious to visit China, paint the animals and the people there.

“Recently, I’ve been toying with the idea of a Malta-inspired version of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, or something about the modern day Knights of St John. There’s always a new idea I want to work on, something I’m interested in.”

When asked what kind of influence Heywood thinks he’d like to have, the painter paraphrases Baden-Powell – “I’d like to leave the world a little better than I found it.”

Throughout his career Heywood has tempered success with kindness, funding a school in South Africa and co-founding one of the country’s foremost conservation parks.

By highlighting the extinction of the planet’s wildlife and the loss of our own creative inheritance at the hands of commercial obsession and consumerist culture, Heywood’s work stands as a warning of times to come, but also a beautiful reminder that some of the most important things are indeed, “timeless”.

Don Heywood’s exhibition is on at the Hilton Hotel, St Julian’s, until January 9.