Someone in the dark: 最貴夢幻油畫：邁克爾，那個曾經穿紅色天鵝絨的男子

來源：MJJCN.com/紐約時報編譯：Keen

1990年，澳大利亞畫家Brett-Livingstone Strong完成了一幅名為《書》（The Book）的油畫。在這幅50*40英寸的油畫裏，他的親密朋友邁克爾·傑克遜（Michael Jackson）身穿夢幻般的紅色天鵝絨外套，正襟危坐。

這幅畫當年以210萬美元的價格賣出，現在，在傑克遜去世掀起新一輪熱潮時，這幅畫的主人把它從新澤西的倉庫裏拿出來，在Harlem汽車展廳裏展覽，並計畫將它賣出。
這幅畫是傑克遜唯一一次專門在畫布面前正襟危坐，擺出造型後而完成的肖像畫作。傑克遜當時手上拿的是一本寫滿想法和畫滿素描的日記本。“我們把它叫做，‘書’，”Strong說，“‘你今天打算把什麼放進這本書裏，邁克爾？’”該畫的背景是Neverland，還有精靈小鈴鐺（Tinkerbell）的身影。該畫還帶有17世紀維梅爾的風格，他是傑克遜最喜歡的畫家之一。
這幅畫目前有兩個玩具發明家擁有。Marty Abrams和John Gentilly在1992年從一個日本商人那裏買到這幅畫。那個日本人為了還債，不得不賣出這幅畫。

“如果有人願意出一個合法的價格，我可能會賣了它，”Abrams說。但17年以來，還沒有任何人對這幅畫感興趣。所以他把它放在倉庫裏放了17年。
兩人也從來沒有在各自的家中公開展示這幅畫。“太貴了。展示600美元的印刷品，沒問題，我也可能會掛出一張價值1000美元的素描，沒問題。但是要展示一幅200萬美元的畫，那就讓人承受不起了。”
但在傑克遜逝世後，他們又把這幅畫拿了出來。部分原因是因為他們看到Andy Warhol的那幅傑克遜經典畫作已經準備放上拍賣台。
畫家Strong和傑克遜在1989年-1990年期間曾結為藝術商業夥伴，他們常常一起商量怎麼通過這些藝術畫作裏籌集資金來做慈善。日本商人佐伯裕通對次表示了強烈的興趣。傑克遜則表示說，如果他肯花一個創造世界記錄的價錢來買這幅畫，那麼他就願意為這幅畫坐下來。
最後，這個日本人花210萬美元買走了這幅畫，創造了現世名人肖像畫的最高交易價。“之後，他告訴我說，他本可以從這幅畫上賺到500萬美元，”Strong說。但日本商人不久後就破產了，這幅畫也就流入Abrams手中。

Strong從這次合作中，依然還擁有不少傑克遜自己的繪畫作品。“那些畫作真的很有意思，有的真的很棒。它們在抽屜裏放了17年。”他希望舉辦一個藝術展來展出這些畫。
還有一套根據這幅《書》而製作的限量簽名版的印刷品。大約總共有375幅，有一些已經在eBay上拍賣。
在傑克遜死後，這幅畫的擁有人接到了四面八方的電話，包括來自迪拜的電話。他們現在已經接觸了Phillips De Pury拍賣行，來為這幅畫估價。“我不是藝術品專家，我不懂藝術市場，”Abrams說，“我們不知道它到底價值多少。100萬美元？還是1000萬美元？”
目前，這幅畫正在Harlem的Lenox大道的Dancy-Power汽車展廳裏展覽。選在這裏，是因為這是Abrams一個朋友的展廳，此外，這裏也離阿波羅劇院很近。傑克遜五兄弟1967年在這裏獲得了第一個業餘選手大獎。
現在，這幅畫還沒有吸引來大批的群眾，Abrams說，部分原因是因為“我們不會在窗戶上掛出標語說，‘邁克爾·傑克遜油畫在這裏！’”
人物介紹：
（編譯：邁邁糖來源：MJJCN.com / michaeljacksonportrait.com）

佈雷特•埃文斯頓•斯特朗（Brett Livingston Strong）是邁克爾•傑克遜（Michael Jackson）聘來為其繪下肖像畫《書》（The Book）和描繪邁克爾•傑克遜與麗莎•瑪麗•普利斯利（Lisa Marie Presley）的畫作《情人》（Lovers）的唯一一位畫家，後者重現了經典名作《許拉斯和水澤女仙》（Hylas and the Nymphs）。
佈雷特•埃文斯頓•斯特朗被邁克爾•傑克遜稱為當代的米開朗琪羅（Michaelangelo），他是一位來自澳大利亞的天才雕塑家，擅長創作大型賞心悅目的雕塑作品。
佈雷特還是一位真正的畫畫大師，有藝術家的獨創精神，在他獨特的原創作品中漂亮地運用了各種顏色。佈雷特•埃文斯頓•斯特朗創作的一些最具戲劇性的原床油畫激發了觀者的思維，直抵靈魂深處。

http://tributomichaeljackson.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/algunas-anecdotas-y-notas-sobre-la-relacion-entre-michael-jackson-y-brett-livingstone-strong/

Brett Livingstone Strong is an Australian artist who counts among his clients and friends whit our Michael (he even called “The Michelangelo of our time”)
After Michael’s accident in the shooting of Pepsi commercial, Brett is responsible for making a bronze relief for the Michael Jackson Burn Center .
Since then meets with MJ several times.
In 1989 is created the Jackson-Strong Alliance, according to them to create “dynamic art company largest in the world to promote the power of imagination and contribute to important causes in the world.” Some of the benefits of Strong ended up in Heal The World Foundation.
MJ That year he wrote the following letter:

“I know the creator will go,
But his work survives,
that is why to escape
death, I attempt to bind
my soul to my work.Michaelangelo.To Brett, Love,
Michael Jackson
6/7/89 “
Brett created the painting “The Book” in which Michael poses with a book in his hands which has not revealed the title, but it was said that a letter was very important in the life of Michael.

The table also made a limited edition of lithographs signed by MJ

But the original painting is purchased by Hiromichi Saeki, Japanese who paid $ 2.1 million beating a record. It is the picture of a more expensive living artist in history.

In November 92, Brett leads to Lisa Marie singing with Michael …
Brett Strong: “Obviously, Lisa was not looking to Michael for his fame or success. She was looking for him purely because he is a gentleman. She has never questioned the charges against him.
“I told Michael that what would happen if you submit the best person on the planet who has not yet come to light and it’s beautiful.” Michael’s response was … ‘What are you talking about? Who is? ‘ I told Lisa Marie Presley. Michael’s answer was’ No! Can you sing? ” It’s fantastic, I said. Michael said, “Well, obviously I’m interested Brett. Can you get me a tape or something?”
Lisa did not want to record a tape to sing to him, so Brett organizes the event …

“In fact that day was the first they were together and when Lisa sang a few songs for Michael. It was a fabulous experience, I think for both. And Michael was honored. I was like, ‘Wow! I’m lucky’ and Lisa felt the same
After two years of that came the wedding
“It’s a story pure and simple. It is a relationship that grew from a friend.”
At that time, Brett made several paintings related to Michael and Lisa. In two of them Michael Lisa is swimming in a swamp …

In 1992 Michael spent their alliance a page from the book of Dangerous Tour:
“In 1989, Michael Jackson and artist-sculptor, Brett-Livingstone Strong, formed the Jackson-Strong Alliance. Their aim has been to establish the world’s most dynamic arts enterprise, promoting the power of imagination, not just for creativity sake, but for the sake of important world causes. Michael and Brett have focused their creative expression in support of the arts, children everywhere and our planet.

Partnership plans include ventures in the fine arts, monumental works, architecture, publishing, entertainment and magnetics. Throughout Brett’s career, the art world has embraced his work with record setting prices. And environmental art exhibition featuring works by Michael and Brett is being toured in conjunction with Michael Jackson’s Dangerous world tour. Brett’s environmental creations have an estimated value of $ 30’ 000,000 dollars. Some of these works will be sold with a substantial portion of the proceeds being donated to the Heal The World Foundation and Children’s charities.
The combination of Brett and Michael’s talents represent an unprecedented powerful partnership that defines the driving force and unlimited success of the Jackson-Strong Alliance.”