A stunning work of art made by a Canadian artist is one of the latest additions to grace the storied walls at Windsor Castle. Well-known Ajax, Ontario-based artist Neville Clarke was selected among five other highly accomplished Canadian artists to gift a painting to King Charles III in honour of his coronation. The paintings are now part of the Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle, the largest and most important privately held art collection in the world. “For the world to witness this incredible once-in-a-lifetime event of a British Monarch, King Charles III being crowned was incredible and to be asked to contribute a gift for his Coronation was beyond belief,” says Neville.
His painting is now part of a collection that includes the works of some of the most famous artists who’ve ever lived. “For me having a painting in such a prestigious collection, that includes the likes of such elite as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Titian, Artemisia Gentileschi, Sir Peter Paul Rubens and Sir Thomas Gainsborough is amazing, especially that they were artists I studied and emulate in school in order to better improve my artistic skills,” said Neville. “I am still in the process of striving to achieve the mastery and excellence they brought to the evolution of world art. It was a great honour and privilege to be part of something great and to represent Canada in a similar manner as other Canadian artists like Lucius O’Brien.”
Jamaican-born, Neville immigrated to Canada in 1974 and has made a name for himself as a celebrated and widely recognized artist in the years since. He’s exhibited his art around the world and has achieved membership in the respected Ontario Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC), where he served as the organization’s president from 2001 to 2003. Neville is also the Founder and President of the Society of African Canadian Artists.
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In honour of the coronation, each artist chose a painting of their own that they would like to gift to the Royal Family. The one Neville chose depicts his daughter, Jacquelene (Jackie). “I choose this painting titled, ‘Eloquence’ of my eldest daughter Jacquelene, then at the tender age of nine,” says Neville. “There was something special about my daughter Jacquelene when she was born and making the painting of her was the testament and added bonus. This small watercolour captured her inquisitive nature and persistence which personify whom she has become and felt this would make a great tribute to this special and memorable occasion.”
Like its subject, Neville says he always knew there was something special about this particular portrait. It became the cover image for the catalogue and exhibition, “Towards A Meaningful Expression,” held at the Art Gallery of Peel, January 24- March 25, 2001. The painting was also exhibited at the Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts in Calgary in 2001, in an exhibition titled “In Search of the Human Essence.” The work was also shown at the Helson Gallery, Halton Region 2021, and used as a poster for the Halton Black History Awareness Society: Emancipation Art Exhibition. “The painting captured the essence of my daughters,” says Neville.
When it comes to father-daughter inspiration, the feeling is mutual. Jackie calls her father her biggest source of inspiration in her own work. Jackie is the Founder & CEO at The Well Connected, a successful Toronto-based creative support agency. “He has always taught me to pursue my passions with dedication and hard work,” says Jackie. “He leads by example and has instilled in me a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed. His unwavering support and belief in me have given me the confidence to push myself beyond my limits and to strive for excellence in all that I do. His teachings have helped shape me into the person I am today and continue to inspire me in my work every day.”
Jackie calls the newly gifted painting one of her favourite pieces that her dad has created. “This painting is very close to my heart,” says Jackie. “It reminds me of my childhood days, sitting on the floor and watching cartoons. It’s like a precious timestamp in my life that I cherish. Though I didn’t fully appreciate its significance back then, I value it now more than ever. The fact that this painting will be displayed in the royal family home and appreciated for years to come even after I am gone is truly mind-blowing.”
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This isn’t the first time Neville has gifted the royal family his art. To mark the CSPWC 75TH anniversary in 2001, he presented a collection to HRH The Prince of Wales in London. King Charles III is an avid artist himself.
“What was surprising was how approachable he was and with a good sense of humour despite his very busy daily schedules,” says Neville of meeting the royal family member. “He is a passionate and avid supporter of the arts and architecture and spoke about the support given to artists and the different charities that he was involved with. He showed and talked at length about the many different sable watercolour paint brushes given to him for his birthday, much in the same manner as any other artist would.”
Another surprising fact about the king? He was at the forefront of organic gardening, says Neville. “He led us artists about his property at High Grove,” says Neville. “He also took the time to give a guided tour of his home, showing paintings by famous world artists and a collection of approximately 300 small watercolour paintings he did in the different countries around the world he travelled to including one of Vancouver, Canada. I would say he was a skilled amateur.”
