Sir Michael Caine, the esteemed actor, has expressed that his favorite artist, Lincoln Townley, could be the "next Andy Warhol" following Townley's recent sold-out exhibition at La Biennale in Venice. Caine, 91, has been a collector of renowned artists' works, including those of David Hockney. Over the past ten years, Caine has closely supported Townley, who has regularly painted portraits of the actor.
Townley, married to Denise Welch, first painted a portrait of Caine and his wife Shakira in 2016. Impressed by Townley's work, Caine remarked, "There's no doubt in my opinion that Lincoln is the next Andy Warhol." Townley's Venice Biennale exhibition, held at the Palazzo Bembo Hotel, showcases 24 abstract figurative oil paintings focusing on themes of money, power, and greed, particularly within the banking world.
Townley describes his work as reflecting the raw energy and ambition that his collectors see in themselves. The exhibition is set to run for eight months, with the artworks being refreshed every two and a half months. In addition to Caine, Townley has painted several other notable figures, including Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, Kate Moss, Princess Diana, David Bowie, and Leonardo DiCaprio. His works currently sell for over £1 million.