Brett-Livingstone Strong
Encyclopedia
Brett-Livingstone Strong (b. 1953) is an Australian born artist, known for his works as an architect, sculptor and painter.
by Queen Elizabeth II
.
In 1977, he carved John Wayne
’s face in a 116-ton rock that had fallen onto Pacific Coast Highway
in Malibu
. It sold in 1979 for US$1.1 million to an Arizona
company, and currently resides in the library of Lubbock Christian University
in Lubbock, Texas.
Strong created a life size bronze statue of John Lennon
, entitled Imagine. He began work on the sculpture as a tribute to Lennon six months before the celebrated musician’s death in 1980. Originally unveiled in New York City by Andy Warhol
, it currently is in the possession of a private collector.
Strong painted a portrait of Michael Jackson
entitled The Book which reportedly sold for $2.1 million to Hiromichi Saeki Corp in 1990, making it the most money every paid to a living artist for the sale of a portrait. Jackson once referred to Strong as a modern day Michelangelo
. This portrait is claimed to be the only portrait that Michael Jackson sat for an artist's rendering and made its first appearance since 1992 on Thursday July 2, 2009. It was displayed for public viewing in Harlem NY near the Apollo Theatre to honor Michael Jackson.
In the 1980s, Strong also completed work on the very impressive U.S. Presidency Monument and :The National Monument to the U.S. Constitution both commissioned by former Chief Justice Warren Burger. The monument was to have been dedicated by President George W. Bush
and placed on the grounds of the White House
. Currently these two monuments are part of an unprecedented nationwide educational program entitled The Spirit of Freedom about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
In the mid 1980s, Strong's painting Homage a Henri Rousseau became the cover artwork for the Fleetwood Mac
album Tango in the Night
. The original painting had been bought by singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham
which was hanging in his home at the time.
Strong created NASA
’s National Space Exploration Monument for display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. On July 16, 1994, Vice President Al Gore
announced this monument honoring the men and women of the United States Space Program and celebrating the anniversary of man’s landing on the moon.
In the late 1990s Strong proposed the City of Angels Monument project designed to create a symbol for Los Angeles along the lines of New York’s Statue of Liberty
or Paris’ Eiffel Tower
. The $4 billion development was to cover 122 acre (0.49371692 km²) in downtown Los Angeles with the central focus being a 750 feet (228.6 m) tower as the base for a 350 feet (106.7 m) female angel, wings spread, holding a sword of light above her head.
Career
In 1972, he was commissioned to paint the royal invitation for the opening of the Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
by Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
.
In 1977, he carved John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
’s face in a 116-ton rock that had fallen onto Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Coast Highway may refer to:*Pacific Coast Highway , segments of California State Route 1**Pacific Coast Highway **Pacific Coast Highway...
in Malibu
Malibu
Malibu may refer to:Places:* Malibu, Baja California, a beach in Rosarito Beach Municipality, Baja California* Malibu, British Columbia, a camp near the entrance of Princess Louisa Inlet...
. It sold in 1979 for US$1.1 million to an Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
company, and currently resides in the library of Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock Christian University is a private Christian university associated with the Churches of Christ located in Lubbock, Texas, in the United States. It was established in 1957. A fall 2011 count showed 2,038 students enrolled at Lubbock Christian University, of which 422 are graduate students...
in Lubbock, Texas.
Strong created a life size bronze statue of John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, entitled Imagine. He began work on the sculpture as a tribute to Lennon six months before the celebrated musician’s death in 1980. Originally unveiled in New York City by Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, it currently is in the possession of a private collector.
Strong painted a portrait of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
entitled The Book which reportedly sold for $2.1 million to Hiromichi Saeki Corp in 1990, making it the most money every paid to a living artist for the sale of a portrait. Jackson once referred to Strong as a modern day Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
. This portrait is claimed to be the only portrait that Michael Jackson sat for an artist's rendering and made its first appearance since 1992 on Thursday July 2, 2009. It was displayed for public viewing in Harlem NY near the Apollo Theatre to honor Michael Jackson.
In the 1980s, Strong also completed work on the very impressive U.S. Presidency Monument and :The National Monument to the U.S. Constitution both commissioned by former Chief Justice Warren Burger. The monument was to have been dedicated by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and placed on the grounds of the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. Currently these two monuments are part of an unprecedented nationwide educational program entitled The Spirit of Freedom about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
In the mid 1980s, Strong's painting Homage a Henri Rousseau became the cover artwork for the Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
album Tango in the Night
Tango in the Night
Tango in the Night is the 14th studio album by the British-American band Fleetwood Mac. Released in April 1987, it is the fifth and final studio album from the line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood....
. The original painting had been bought by singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
which was hanging in his home at the time.
Strong created NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
’s National Space Exploration Monument for display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. On July 16, 1994, Vice President Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
announced this monument honoring the men and women of the United States Space Program and celebrating the anniversary of man’s landing on the moon.
In the late 1990s Strong proposed the City of Angels Monument project designed to create a symbol for Los Angeles along the lines of New York’s Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
or Paris’ Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
. The $4 billion development was to cover 122 acre (0.49371692 km²) in downtown Los Angeles with the central focus being a 750 feet (228.6 m) tower as the base for a 350 feet (106.7 m) female angel, wings spread, holding a sword of light above her head.