THE familiar faces of Canberra – from politicians to window washers – have been captured in a new exhibition by local artist Barbara van der Linden.

Thirty portraits using charcoal and acrylic paint, will be on display in the “Faces of Canberra” exhibition at Griffith’s M16 Gallery next month.

Barbara says the exhibition has been three years in the making, intended to launch this year as part of the Centenary program.

“I wanted to shine a light on the characters and identities who make this such an interesting and unique place to live,” she says.

“Generally for me, I meet a lot of artists in the world I’m in, but I really wanted to get out into the community and hear other people’s stories, so I asked the community to nominate people to be part of this.”

The response she received was diverse: the “faces” in the exhibition range from local journalists, politicians, volunteers, to well-known hairdressers.

Each portrait took Barbara around 30 hours to complete.

“Usually, I’d ask them to sit there for as long as they can, but often I’d use a photo and draw from there,” she says.

Starting with a blank canvas, Barbara says she adds layers to “build a life story” based on what she sees in the face of the sitter.

“I add to the portrait my own life’s experiences and accumulated artistic knowledge,” she says.

“I hope people can come away with a truer picture of who that person is.”

Each portrait has had its own individual unveiling before the exhibition, which Barbara describes as “a mini ‘This is Your Life’” celebration with the subject’s family and friends.

“The idea of having an official unveiling of each portrait as it was completed has been very rewarding, providing an opportunity to celebrate each portrait subject and to tell them what they mean to their community – it was a chance to say ‘thank you’,” she says.

“Most people are shy or worried about how they’ll look, but most are really pleased. I think they’re very brave to do this… I wouldn’t want to be painted. But I try to paint them how they see themselves.”

Some of Barbara’s favourite “faces” include dedicated Salvation Army volunteer Alan Jessop, who is often seen collecting money at the Canberra Centre, and Northbourne Avenue window washer Ian Stokes, who has a touching story surrounding his portrait.

“His sister was sent a newspaper clipping of his portrait opening and contacted us here at the studio, asking about him,” Barbara says.

“She said she’d lost touch with him over the years, and couldn’t find him. She didn’t even know he was here. They came down to see his portrait and reconnect with him again… it was such a wonderful moment.”

“Faces of Canberra”, May 9-26, M16 Gallery, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith. The “Faces of Canberra” book will also be available at the exhibition for $30.