大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - The art gallery employee whose painting of her colleague actually ended up IN the world-famous exhibition where they both work

The art gallery employee whose painting of her colleague actually ended up IN the world-famous exhibition where they both work

19 December 2018

Friends Vittorio and Laura (photo by Neil Hanna)

For what may be the first time, you can visit an art gallery and meet both the artist and the subject of one of the paintings at the same time — because they both work there!

Gallery worker and aspiring artist Laura Nardo’s striking portrait of her colleague Vittorio Milazzo landed her a spot in the , which attracted 2,500 entries from 80 countries.

Now, she can be found helping visitors view her own painting.

Laura decided she wanted to paint Vittorio because of his “warm and lovely way of welcoming visitors.”

Laura, who usually works at the National Galleries of Scotland, joined the staff a year ago and described them as “like a family” when she spoke to Janice Forsyth on The Afternoon Show.

The 2018 BP Portrait Award exhibition opens at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Janice speaks to National Galleries of Scotland staff member Laura Nardo.

Laura’s painting is titled ‘LTR Team A’, which stands for ‘Lunchtime Relief Team A’. Her colleague Vittorio, whom the painting features, has worked at the gallery for many years.

It鈥檚 really a way to say thanks to the [National] Gallery of Scotland.

Artist Laura Nardo

“I first met Vittorio during a visit at the National Gallery of Scotland four years ago and he noticed that I was speaking Italian with my husband. He engaged in a conversation with us. After that moment we became friends and now, since a bit over one year, we are colleagues too.”

“I chose Vittorio because I think he’s got a very interesting face because he is marked by experience, plus he was born in Scotland but he’s got Italian roots like me.

“It’s a pleasure to have a painting of Vittor in the gallery because it’s really a way to say thanks to the Gallery of Scotland for the big opportunity I had with them.”

Artists in more ways than one.
Meet Norman, the 91-year-old 鈥榰nteachable鈥� artist

Norman Gilbert and his art school tutors didn't exactly see eye to eye.
鈥淚t's lovely to know I can help create something with people鈥�
鈥淚 picked up a pencil and drew and that was me talking.鈥�