HIS artistry on the football field is undisputed but Crows champion Andrew McLeod chose to immortalise a different side of his personality on canvas for the South Australian Living Artists Festival.

Megan Roodenrys' portrait Salt Water Man shows McLeod as he sees himself: Bare-chested, holding a spear on the beach at Darwin's East Point Reserve.

"The first thing he said when he came here was: `I'm a salt water man, I'm from the salt water people'," the Westbourne Park artist said.

"He also was very particular about wanting to have a spear – he collects spears." The life-sized painting will be auctioned at a club chairman's lunch to commemorate McLeod's 300th AFL game, due on August 10 against Richmond at AAMI Stadium.

Before that, the completed painting will be unveiled at Gallery 82 in Hyde Park on August 3 as part of SALA's "Art on King William" event.

The new gallery, at 82 King William Rd, also will feature other paintings by Roodenrys during the SALA Festival from August 1-17.

A limited edition of 23 smaller, signed reproductions of the McLeod painting will be sold through the Adelaide Football Club, with a further five to be donated to charities.

 

Share this article What is this?