Painting of Jeremy Corbyn by Rochester artist Sam Collins
Published: 00:01, 04 August 2017
Watch out for the rich and powerful being frightened.
That was Jeremy Corbyn's message during an impromptu speech at a pub last week, and they'll be even more frightened if they unexpectedly come across this 12ft by 8ft likeness of his face.
The image was the work of Rochester artist Sam Collins, who admitted he had never even thought of voting for, let alone painting, a politician until the general election earlier this year.
Sam, 32, was becoming well known for his artwork, including murals depicting rock stars, artists and writers around the Medway Towns, but was inspired to paint a small canvas of Jeremy Corbyn – and vote for the first time – in the run up to the election.
After being posted on Facebook, his image went viral which led to the artist being asked by the owners of The North Nineteen in Islington, London, to recreate his painting on the side of their pub.
And a few weeks later Sam was chatting to Jeremy Corbyn himself at a special event to unveil his handiwork.
“I initially painted a canvas in the snap election,” said Sam after meeting Mr Corbyn last week.
“It got about 1,500 likes but it reached about 60,000 people – which is not massive in the grand scheme of things, but to me it was lots.
“Anthony Cullen, the landlord of the pub, and his wife Karen saw the portrait and sent me a message.
"I’d never met them before or been to the pub, but being big Jeremy Corbyn supporters they asked me if I could do a 12ft by 8ft portrait.
“I’m new to politics,” he added.
“I’ve never voted before as I’d been disillusioned with politicians, but Jeremy Corbyn was the only one I felt I could trust.
“I like that he’s not an aggressor. He doesn’t want to press the big red button, and he’s for the people. When I voted it was not for Labour as much as him.”
The pub paid for materials and paint, and Sam gave his time for free – but was rewarded with praise from Mr Corbyn himself and the crowds who turned out to watch the portrait unveiled.
“It was all very theatrical,” added Sam.
“They cornered off half the pub for Jeremy Corbyn and his group.
"Thank you to Sam and all the thousands of people around the country who do so much every day to change the political landscape and change the debate" - Jeremy Corbyn
“He hung about downstairs having a drink and a chat, and as expected he was a lovely man – really nice.
“It was incredible but it’s all a bit of a blur.”
And the rewards could get greater still, with the growing interest in Sam’s work already leading to potential commissions in the music industry.
See more of his work by visiting the “Sam Art” site on Facebook.
After appearances at Glastonbury and packed political rallies, he’s surely growing used to adulation - but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn did his best to remain humble after his portrait was unveiled.
“Can I say thank you all very much, this is the most embarrassing day of my life, and I’d rather not say anything more than that,” he said.
He added: “Thank you to Sam and all the thousands of people around the country who do so much every day to change the political landscape and change the debate, and I tell you what, it’s working.
"We made a list of all the retreats this government has made in the last five weeks - it’s long.
“We’re forcing them back but I’d rather force them out. So I’m ready for another election - are all of you?”
That question was met with cheers before Mr Corbyn added: “It’s fantastic and the support for what we’re doing is quite incredible, and that is what is changing things - the engagement of people in details as well as the big picture in politics, and that’s something the very wealthy and very powerful are actually quite frightened of so watch out for them being frightened.”
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Chris Hunter