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Alex Davern |
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Elia Basser – Peter Hercus (The Mad Hatter)
I chose to use Peter Hercus as the model for my portrait because, as a sub-editor of the Mercury, he is an integral member of the Tasmanian community. I have depicted him emerging from the shadows, mirroring his career, which itself is essentially worked ‘in the shadows’. He is also an original, strange and interesting character, who possesses a very lively, mobile face. Thus in the portrait I decided to characterise him as a mad hatter. This is significant because the idea of ‘the mad hatter’ originated from the condition of the hatters, who lost their minds through exposure to the mercury nitrate that they used in the felt stiffening process. The full moon symbolises apparent madness often connoted to it. Pete’s profession coincides with his love of literature, thus he is depicted beside a book of classics.
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