Controversial Pompey supporter’s portrait on display (From Daily Echo)
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Fans want Portsmouth fan painting removed from Southampton Art Gallery
9:43am Friday 2nd October 2009 in News
By Corey Stephenson, Senior News and Video Reporter
The face of John Westwood
HE is banned from St Mary’s for his disgusting behaviour including urinating on seats.
However, a portrait of Pompey’s best known fan is hanging in Southampton’s art gallery.
Click HERE to view the big picture... if you dare
Angry Saints fans are calling for the painting of the infamous John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood to be removed.
The larger than life character is banned from St Mary’s after being caught on CCTV urinating on seats in the away end and being thrown out of a derby match in 2003 for persistently refusing to sit down when ordered to by stewards.
Dressed in his trademark blue and white colours, and showing some of his 60 Portsmouth tattoos, the 2m painting has angered Saints fans who have warned it should be removed before someone vandalises it.
The portrait by Portsmouth artist Karl Rudziak is one of 52 paintings as part of the BP Portrait Awards exhibition.
The City Council has defended its inclusion saying it is a part of “the most prestigious portrait competition in the world”.
However, Mike O’Callaghan, chairman of the Saints Independent Supporters Association said there is outrage among Saints fans.
“I won’t be surprised if someone risks criminal prosecution and vandalises it,” he said.
“It should be taken down or better yet, taken down the pub and put on a dartboard.”
Dozens of other Saints fans yesterday vented their anger on the Daily Echo website calling for the council to get it out of the gallery.
A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: “The BP Portrait Award 2009 is the most prestigious portrait competition in the world, highlighting the best in contemporary portrait painting, and Southampton is proud to welcome this exhibition to the city for the first time in the award’s 30-year history.
“Some people may see Karl Rudziak’s portrait of Portsmouth FC’s most recognisable fan as confrontational but art should be about freedom of expression – it should also be engaging and galleries should spark debate.
“Of course, there has been a long-standing and intense rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth football fans but the two cities also have a great deal in the way of shared history, heritage and culture.
The spokesman added that, although no extra measures have been taken, security staff at the gallery were aware of the controversy and would be extra vigilant around the portrait.
Comments(46)
Shoong
says...
10:02am Fri 2 Oct 09
Wonder why..?
Le Tissier's Nose
says...
10:04am Fri 2 Oct 09
Simon Cowell
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10:18am Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson
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10:21am Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!! wrote:About the same as you probably unless you are on benefits.
Urgh... I wonder how much money this filthy man costs us tax payers each year?
The concept of Art is obviously lost on all of you knuckle-draggers - no wonder Football Fans as a whole are frowned upon because of the idiotic mindset of the few.
Well done Echo for another attempt at "stoking the fire".
Ken Hutchinson
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10:37am Fri 2 Oct 09
Lone Ranger
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10:50am Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:Blimey....what side of the bed did you get out of this morning??
Once again a quote appears from another prat with a title (Chairman of SISA) as if he represents the view of the majority - he doesn't. He's a pathetic little figure whose ego far outweighs his intellect.
.
Where does it say he represents the majority of Saints fans.
.
SW tiny soft says it all really
owen_thesaints
says...
11:02am Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:And your concept of Art is better than anyone elses because.........
More Sense Than Money!! wrote: Urgh... I wonder how much money this filthy man costs us tax payers each year?About the same as you probably unless you are on benefits. The concept of Art is obviously lost on all of you knuckle-draggers - no wonder Football Fans as a whole are frowned upon because of the idiotic mindset of the few. Well done Echo for another attempt at "stoking the fire".
I dont agree with many Arts Council funded projects. Arts costs me, a tax payer, more than I would wish to pay, for instance I would choose not to fund ballet or classical music and direct the money towards other more populist areas perhaps...does this make me a knuckle dragger?
Ken Hutchinson
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11:10am Fri 2 Oct 09
Denver
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11:53am Fri 2 Oct 09
mr.southampton
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12:02pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Looks like the Echo in giving people who are inciting a criminal act a soap-box . Well done Echo.
owen_thesaints
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12:30pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:I pay my taxes, some of which may go in grants to the arts, etc, etc, and as I stated if i had my choice on how it was spent I would spend differently (across the board, not just arts related expenditure).
If you are one of the few posters on this subject who is able to see beyond the subject matter and appreciate the art then no, I wouldn't put you in the same bracket as the other morons. Enlighten me how you as an individual/tax payer fund Ballet or Classical Music?
If you fund Classical music or Ballet then why not Rock or Rap to the same degree. If it's a minority thing and Classical music can't sustain itself then I'm sorry but I don't wish to fund it, I would prefer my money spent elsewhere.
Not sure why you need enlightening, we all pay into the same one pot...
Ken Hutchinson
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12:53pm Fri 2 Oct 09
D.a.v.e
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12:58pm Fri 2 Oct 09
gillyman
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1:00pm Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!!
says...
1:16pm Fri 2 Oct 09
I don't give a clap about art galleries or football. And yes, both DO cost tax payers! Perhaps, before you are so rude again, you should maybe take a syringe of air and use it on yourself!
echoidiot
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1:22pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson
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1:31pm Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!! wrote:I'm sure the same questions could be asked of you - although I think I already have the answer to the behaving like a jerk bit....
What I meant, you over rated breath of air is... does that filthy man work? Does he behave like a complete jerk all the time? Let's face it, if he behaves like that in a football ground, what is to stop him behaving like it anywhere else he fancies? Thus costing the tax payer!! I don't give a clap about art galleries or football. And yes, both DO cost tax payers! Perhaps, before you are so rude again, you should maybe take a syringe of air and use it on yourself!
owen_thesaints
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2:14pm Fri 2 Oct 09
clausentum wrote:Sorry to disappoint, but I am an Accountant...and probably could calculate what I spend and receive if I so chose!
Ken Hutchinson wrote: Owen_thesaints - If you did your sums on how much tax you as an individual pay and equate it to what you as an individual receive in health & public services across your lifetime and your offspring as minors, I doubt if you will ever contribute a penny to any budding Nureyev or Joshua Bell....You overlook the obvious, he cannot add up. 2 + 2 is beyond him.
Ken, we all contribute, the money doesn't grow magically or appear out of thin air. Any government spending is financed by us all.
I have never stated that I personally fund the Arts, we all do. All I have stated is that were it down to personal choice I would choose to fund different things than perhaps you would. Each to their own!
You chose to assume that the concept of art is lost on all but the select!
Propercynic
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3:29pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:There's nothing like a good bit of snobbery to fan the flames is there? It's a hideous picture although, granted, it is a well-executed piece of art.
More Sense Than Money!! wrote: Urgh... I wonder how much money this filthy man costs us tax payers each year?About the same as you probably unless you are on benefits. The concept of Art is obviously lost on all of you knuckle-draggers - no wonder Football Fans as a whole are frowned upon because of the idiotic mindset of the few. Well done Echo for another attempt at "stoking the fire".
I am a football fan and, yes, I hate that picture - it's nothing to do with me being a Saints fan: John PFC Westwood is not the most attractive human being on the planet, him being a Portsmouth fan is immaterial. That does not make me a knuckle-dragger it just makes me someone who does not like a particular picture. It doesn't make me a hater of art either - I am more interested in the sciences although I love wildlife art.
As an aside, I am wondering if Southampton was chosen as one of the venues for this particular piece in the full knowledge that it would cause a bit of a storm? Nothing like even a tiny bit of controversy to promote an artist is there?
Ken Hutchinson
says...
3:36pm Fri 2 Oct 09
A fact supported somewhat by St.DaveH......read the article, the portrait is part of an exhibition - it isn't owned by and therefore cannot be sold by Southampton City Council.
Idiots like this would be better off tackling a book before commenting on anything remotely cultural.
owen_thesaints
says...
3:42pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:Fair comment, though surely more constructive to point out his mistake than apply labels to people!
Owen_thesaints - I haven't assumed that the concept of art is lost on the majority of individuals who have posted on this topic - it is clearly evident. A fact supported somewhat by St.DaveH......read the article, the portrait is part of an exhibition - it isn't owned by and therefore cannot be sold by Southampton City Council. Idiots like this would be better off tackling a book before commenting on anything remotely cultural.
Anyway enough of this...has HR left THFC yet under a cloud?
Ken Hutchinson
says...
4:09pm Fri 2 Oct 09
ing perhaps?
freemantlegirl2
says...
4:13pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Propercynic wrote:I'm with you proper cynic. I'm loathe to criticise his looks because we as a society are obsessed with 'looks' but it's his behaviour I object to - it does epitomise everything that's bad about football and there is so much that is good! :) having said that it is very detailed and looks like a photograph and I can see why the artist chose him as a subject (although as I said yesterday it's a wonder he could sit still for that long the way he leaps about at matches and on TV ) you're right this has been done very deliberately and look how much exposure the exhibition, gallery and artist are getting! as they say, any publicity is good publicity. Wonder if the security guards are saints fans .... LOL. (It's a small world that guy in the video with the blonde hair and glasses, I was behind him in Somerfield's petrol station this afternoon!)
Ken Hutchinson wrote:There's nothing like a good bit of snobbery to fan the flames is there? It's a hideous picture although, granted, it is a well-executed piece of art.
More Sense Than Money!! wrote: Urgh... I wonder how much money this filthy man costs us tax payers each year?About the same as you probably unless you are on benefits. The concept of Art is obviously lost on all of you knuckle-draggers - no wonder Football Fans as a whole are frowned upon because of the idiotic mindset of the few. Well done Echo for another attempt at "stoking the fire".
I am a football fan and, yes, I hate that picture - it's nothing to do with me being a Saints fan: John PFC Westwood is not the most attractive human being on the planet, him being a Portsmouth fan is immaterial. That does not make me a knuckle-dragger it just makes me someone who does not like a particular picture. It doesn't make me a hater of art either - I am more interested in the sciences although I love wildlife art.
As an aside, I am wondering if Southampton was chosen as one of the venues for this particular piece in the full knowledge that it would cause a bit of a storm? Nothing like even a tiny bit of controversy to promote an artist is there?
Linesman
says...
4:15pm Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!! wrote:The answer to your question is Yes. He does work!
What I meant, you over rated breath of air is... does that filthy man work? Does he behave like a complete jerk all the time? Let's face it, if he behaves like that in a football ground, what is to stop him behaving like it anywhere else he fancies? Thus costing the tax payer!! I don't give a clap about art galleries or football. And yes, both DO cost tax payers! Perhaps, before you are so rude again, you should maybe take a syringe of air and use it on yourself!
Check out the Petersfield Book Shop on the internet!
Westwood is an antiquarian bookseller.
Rather an appropriate saying is, 'do not judge a book by its cover'!
Linesman
says...
4:51pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:If you read the article, he never claimed to represent the majority, and would appear to only represent his association.
Once again a quote appears from another prat with a title (Chairman of SISA) as if he represents the view of the majority - he doesn't. He's a pathetic little figure whose ego far outweighs his intellect.
As I doubt very much whether many people know what he looks like, perhaps Mike O'Callaghan, the Chairman of the Saints Independent Supporters Association should have his portrait painted, to be hung in a Portsmouth gallery. I wonder whether anyone there would recognise him.
If not him, why not that popular Saints Fans representative, the ever popular Nick Illingsworth?
If they are not acceptable, perhaps Richard Chorley could find time to sit for a portrait now that his is no longer helping to run the City Council. Perhaps he could be pictured at the wheel of his taxi!
Denzil
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4:53pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Linesman
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4:59pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Romsey does not come under the control of Southampton City Council, even a idiot should know that!
Cyber-Fug
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5:03pm Fri 2 Oct 09
we cant all be wrong about this moron... even some of his despise the oik !
Just remove it before war breaks out :o)
Captain Swing
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5:51pm Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!! wrote:Mr Westwood runs a busy, prosperous and well established shop in Petersfield, dealing in rare books. You can't see the tatoos when he's in his business atire.
What I meant, you over rated breath of air is... does that filthy man work? Does he behave like a complete jerk all the time? Let's face it, if he behaves like that in a football ground, what is to stop him behaving like it anywhere else he fancies? Thus costing the tax payer!! I don't give a clap about art galleries or football. And yes, both DO cost tax payers! Perhaps, before you are so rude again, you should maybe take a syringe of air and use it on yourself!
He'd probably be the first person to advise you not the judge a book from its cover.
echoidiot
says...
5:56pm Fri 2 Oct 09
sw/free-word! lol
More Sense Than Money!!
says...
7:18pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Linesman
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7:21pm Fri 2 Oct 09
clausentum
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7:59pm Fri 2 Oct 09
More Sense Than Money!! wrote:Knuckle-dragger
His behavoir is what is filthy, not his looks!!
Linesman
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7:59pm Fri 2 Oct 09
echoidiot wrote:You are correct.
i have just been told that st marys is not in the running for the next world cup! is this correct?. but portsmouth is. and also that portsmouth as a whole are putting southampton forward as a nice place for the visiting supporters to stay at in hotels. is this just a ploy to get disgruntled fans to wreck southampton instead of portsmouth? i dont think so, we all live on the south coast so what the hell are you gripeing about? i live exactly half way between southampton and portsmouth, and i feel bad when either team dont do well. for christ sake grow up. sw/very-just!
Southampton did put in a bid, but they missed the deadline.
If Portsmouth is selected, then both cities and both football clubs will gain financially.
It would provide and excellent opportunity for adults to behave like adults and work together for the benefit of both cities and the area in general.
clausentum
says...
8:03pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Linesman wrote:Facilities would need to include a secure playpen for knuckle-dragging fake football supporters with IQ's below 50 and vocabularies to match.
echoidiot wrote:You are correct.
i have just been told that st marys is not in the running for the next world cup! is this correct?. but portsmouth is. and also that portsmouth as a whole are putting southampton forward as a nice place for the visiting supporters to stay at in hotels. is this just a ploy to get disgruntled fans to wreck southampton instead of portsmouth? i dont think so, we all live on the south coast so what the hell are you gripeing about? i live exactly half way between southampton and portsmouth, and i feel bad when either team dont do well. for christ sake grow up. sw/very-just!
Southampton did put in a bid, but they missed the deadline.
If Portsmouth is selected, then both cities and both football clubs will gain financially.
It would provide and excellent opportunity for adults to behave like adults and work together for the benefit of both cities and the area in general.
Dooody
says...
8:43pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Linesman
says...
10:50pm Fri 2 Oct 09
clausentum wrote:I imagine that they would be provided in both cities.
Linesman wrote:Facilities would need to include a secure playpen for knuckle-dragging fake football supporters with IQ's below 50 and vocabularies to match.echoidiot wrote: i have just been told that st marys is not in the running for the next world cup! is this correct?. but portsmouth is. and also that portsmouth as a whole are putting southampton forward as a nice place for the visiting supporters to stay at in hotels. is this just a ploy to get disgruntled fans to wreck southampton instead of portsmouth? i dont think so, we all live on the south coast so what the hell are you gripeing about? i live exactly half way between southampton and portsmouth, and i feel bad when either team dont do well. for christ sake grow up. sw/very-just!You are correct. Southampton did put in a bid, but they missed the deadline. If Portsmouth is selected, then both cities and both football clubs will gain financially. It would provide and excellent opportunity for adults to behave like adults and work together for the benefit of both cities and the area in general.
clausentum
says...
11:39pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Linesman wrote:Yes. With additional secure playpens strategicaly sited at 10 mile intervals along the M27 linking the two cities, with alternating playpens painted in red and white and, in blue and white. Arn't these numbskulls a disgrace to their respective cities, their communities and likely a huge disappointment to their mums?
clausentum wrote:I imagine that they would be provided in both cities.
Linesman wrote:Facilities would need to include a secure playpen for knuckle-dragging fake football supporters with IQ's below 50 and vocabularies to match.echoidiot wrote: i have just been told that st marys is not in the running for the next world cup! is this correct?. but portsmouth is. and also that portsmouth as a whole are putting southampton forward as a nice place for the visiting supporters to stay at in hotels. is this just a ploy to get disgruntled fans to wreck southampton instead of portsmouth? i dont think so, we all live on the south coast so what the hell are you gripeing about? i live exactly half way between southampton and portsmouth, and i feel bad when either team dont do well. for christ sake grow up. sw/very-just!You are correct. Southampton did put in a bid, but they missed the deadline. If Portsmouth is selected, then both cities and both football clubs will gain financially. It would provide and excellent opportunity for adults to behave like adults and work together for the benefit of both cities and the area in general.
echoidiot
says...
10:15am Sat 3 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue
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12:32pm Sat 3 Oct 09
freemantlegirl2
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12:41pm Sat 3 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:I'm amazed you haven't been banned after your extreme, foul-mouthed and disgusting abuse earlier today which I see has been removed! You are both as bad as each other (rather resembling the person who you are criticising, or even worse!).
Tut tut not condoning violence now are we. Don't stand on tour knuckles by mistake
clausentum
says...
1:56pm Sat 3 Oct 09
freemantlegirl2 wrote:Spoken like a true mum ;-)
Red & White Never Blue wrote:I'm amazed you haven't been banned after your extreme, foul-mouthed and disgusting abuse earlier today which I see has been removed! You are both as bad as each other (rather resembling the person who you are criticising, or even worse!).
Tut tut not condoning violence now are we. Don't stand on tour knuckles by mistake
Like a family referee ;-)
You may not get a response from "red, white and true right wing blue", for a while, he is likely practising penning his cross on the EDL's sign-up form.
Southampton Heart
says...
1:57pm Sat 3 Oct 09
Linesman
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2:06pm Sat 3 Oct 09
If it has done nothing else, it has certainly created an interest in the place that has been sadly lacking for many years.
When the painting is moved to its next gallery, perhaps The Echo could run stories, at regular intervals, about controversial paintings that are on view. This may result in people getting the opportunity to see the valuable paintings that the City has stored in the basement, that have never been on view and with a small charge made, perhaps paintings would not need to be sold to fund the proposed 'white elephant'!
freemantlegirl2
says...
5:55pm Sat 3 Oct 09
clausentum wrote:Yes, spot on Claus.... but then again you were both acting like children (except v. foul mouthed children in R,W's case!)..... toddler taming can also be applied to certain male individuals when they throw their toys out of the pram.....
freemantlegirl2 wrote:Spoken like a true mum ;-)
Red & White Never Blue wrote:I'm amazed you haven't been banned after your extreme, foul-mouthed and disgusting abuse earlier today which I see has been removed! You are both as bad as each other (rather resembling the person who you are criticising, or even worse!).
Tut tut not condoning violence now are we. Don't stand on tour knuckles by mistake
Like a family referee ;-)
You may not get a response from "red, white and true right wing blue", for a while, he is likely practising penning his cross on the EDL's sign-up form.
Linesman, again spot on - I'm convinced it was a publicity stunt which has done the Gallery, Artist and Exhibitors no harm whatsoever ;)!
More Sense Than Money!! says...
10:00am Fri 2 Oct 09