South London convenience store owner Kaual Patel has received the royal portrait treatment after being painted by an artist who has depicted Princess Anne, in a project celebrating the contribution of independent businesses to local communities.
Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, has been immortalised by artist Nick Bashall as part of Local Royalty, a new exhibition celebrating independent business owners. The exhibition will be open to the public from Oct 28 to Nov 2 at the Saatchi Gallery in London.
Patel's portrait will be displayed alongside those of three other small business owners, with the project giving shop, pub, café and takeaway operators the kind of artistic recognition traditionally associated with royalty, industry leaders and celebrities.
Patel, who took over the shop from his father and uncle, has spent the past two decades building it into a community hub while championing local producers.
The portrait was painted live inside Patel’s store, allowing customers to witness the artwork taking shape around them.
“The days I spent being painted by Nick, live in the shop, were unforgettable, but what made it truly special was seeing it through the eyes of my customers,” BBC quoted Patel as saying. “This wasn't created behind closed doors in a studio. It happened right here, in the store, surrounded by the people who make our community so special.
“Seeing their expressions, hearing their reactions and watching the portrait come to life alongside them created memories I'll never forget. This simply doesn't happen to an everyday shopkeeper.”
Bashall, who has also painted Princess Anne, said the experience was made more entertaining by the reactions of customers entering the shop.
“I stood at my easel and painted Kaual and the entire background on the spot, with people milling around us,” BBC quoted Bashall as saying. “It was great fun watching his customers' faces as they came in, clearly wondering what was going on, but also intrigued by it all.”
The exhibition was inspired by research indicating that nearly 80 per cent of the public believe independent businesses, including local convenience stores, are underappreciated.
Through its portraits of local business owners, Local Royalty aims to recognise the role these businesses play in their communities.