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	Teresa Witz - official BT artist for london 2012 (Press Release) LOCAL ARTIST SELECTED FOR 2012 CULTURAL OLYMPIAD Teresa Witz has been selected as one of 10 artists to retell the story of the London 2012 Olympics through the BT Art of Sport initiative. The artist will honor the achievement of Olympic & Paralympic athletes through as series of commissioned works. Teresa has worked with Olympic & Paralympic stars including Oscar Pistorius, Zac Purchase, Mark Foster and David Weir. The painters previous works including paintings of celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Cher and paralympic equestrian gold medallist Lee Pearson MBE OBE. "The experience of working with the BT Art of Sport campaign to contribute to the cultural legacy of the 2012 Games is delightful and inspiring" - Teresa Witz The BT Art of Sport programme is a key element of BT's sponsorship activities for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The idea behind the initiative is simple. Participating artists have been granted access to work close to top Olympians and Paralympians, and draw on them as inspiration. The BT Art of Sport initiative will re-tell the 2012 Olmpic story, capturing the dedication and commitment of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes and conveying the drama and passion of these sporting events. The project will provide a legacy to the Olympic Games and the sale of works will support a range of sporting charities including Paralympics GB. Teresa Witz was born in Cyprus and brought up in Plymouth. She received her BA Hons at the Wolverhampton College of Art and throughout the years continued her formal education with a certificate in Art Education and Art Therapy from the Birmingham School of Art Education, studied Fine Art Practice at Sir John Cass School of Art and most recently an M.A. in Fine Art in 2001 and was awarded a Doctorate in Fine Art in 2008 from the University of East London. Her paintings focus on the iconic in the contemporary mediatised world and her work with Paralympic and Olympic athletes, who she sees as "iconic unknowns", seek to express the power and emotions invested in the pursuit of the Olympic dream. BT THE ART OF SPORT BT is the Official Communications Services Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As a proud partner of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, BT is very happy to support a group of established and emerging British artists working in a variety of mediums, including oils, watercolours, photography and sculpture. Exhibitions will be held across the UK throughout 2011 and the sale of artworks will support charities including The British Olympic Association and The British Paralympic Association. Teresa Witz is delighted to have been chosen to participate in this prestigious programme. www.btartofsport.com "From the windows of my studio in Bow, I have watched with fascination for the last couple of years as London's Olympic Park has risen from a building site to what will eventually become the focus of the eyes of world when the 2012 Games comes to Britain. Because I live in the borough and work beside the Olympic site, I was particularly delighted to have been invited by British Telecom to join its prestigious The Art of Sport project. Much of my earlier work was concerned with style, leading to an interest in the creation of contemporary iconic images of celebrity personalities, David Beckham being to the fore in his many reinventions. This led in turn to an interest in the portrayal of ordinary people as 'iconic unknowns', a description which for the moment could be applied to many of our 2012 Olympic athletes. I hope that by the end of the Games, we'll be able to drop the word unknown. For BT Art of Sport project I am currently working on portraits of a number of our athletes and aim through my particular style to capture the essence of the  dreams, determination and dedication which has already taken them so far." www.btartofsport.com HIGH PERFORMANCE ART Airports are not often associated with peace, culture and fine art, however Heathrow Airport is happy to offer passengers a reprieve from the busy activity at the Terminal Five Expo Gallery. The gallery showcase's original works of art from outstanding British artists including painters, sculptors and fine art photographers. The illustrious line-up of artists include, Lorne McKean, Mike Speller, Huw Williams, Clarissa Koch, Jeremy Houghton, Teresa Witz and many more. The Gallery will regularly feature works of art to honour our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with the ultimate ambition of capturing in time Britain's journey to London 2012, leaving a lasting and positive legacy. www.highperformanceart.co.uk