| By :
Martin Hofschroer
Rolf Harris has said that he wants to present more television programmes about the world of art. The Australian octogenarian told the London Student newspaper that he would love to front more episodes of the show Rolf on Art, which is still the most watched arts programme ever to be screened. Rolf said that he enjoys presenting programmes about art because he feels that it makes the subject more accessible to people who would otherwise think twice before going to galleries. He told the publication: "I'd love to do some more Rolf on Art programmes. I find it so rewarding to be able to demystify art for the general public and let them know they can have a go. "I think I have done a lot to let people know that they don't have to be afraid to go to an art gallery and if they don't understand its OK - a lot of the artists don't either!" Rolf has also credited the television show with providing him the inspiration to do more painting, which has resulted in an extremely successful career with many art enthusiasts demanding Rolf Harris prints. The entertainer is current exhibiting his artwork through a national tour celebrating his 65 years as an artist entitled 'A Life in Art', which displays Rolf Harris prints, originals and lithographs. Rolf said that the highlight of his art career was painting a portrait of the Queen for television and he confessed to experiencing serious nerves before embarking on the project. He told the newspaper: "It got to be almost overwhelming panic and you even start to doubt your ability, but when the Queen arrived she put us all at ease and once I started painting it all went wonderfully well." Such is Rolf's popularity as a painter that the he came first in a survey which asked art exhibition visitors in London to name artist. Harris topped the poll in 1992 with 38 per cent of people naming him as a famous artist with second place John Constable a long way behind. Rolf has always been keen on bringing art to the masses and has been responsible for numerous projects such as the painting of a giant replica of Constable's The Hay Wain in Trafalgar Square. Rolf has had the pleasure of being awarded both the MBE and OBE and the artist is also a Member of the Order of Australia.
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
