Coca-Cola recruits royal portrait artists to paint local shopkeepers

Coca-Cola has commissioned artists who have painted the Royal Family to turn local business owners into gallery subjects, with portraits heading to London’s Saatchi Gallery.

‘Local Royalty’ gives the people behind a chippy, pub, café and corner shop the formal portrait treatment, recognising their place in community life.

Devised and delivered by MHP Group across MHP, Mischief and Studio La Plage, the campaign pairs four owners with artists whose previous sitters include Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne.

Nicky Philipps painted Pindy Kaur of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, while Jamie Coreth captured Devon pub landlord Simon Dafforn-Jones.

Glasgow’s University Café proprietor Gino Verecchia sat for Gareth Reid, and Catford shopkeeper Kaual Patel was painted by Nick Bashall.

The idea gives familiar neighbourhood faces the attention usually reserved for people whose portraits hang in palaces.

Rhona Stephen, senior director of communications for Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: “Independent business owners create the places where local life happens, yet their contribution often goes unrecognised.”

Each owner will keep their portrait and receive a donation for a local charity of their choice.

The work continues Coca-Cola’s ‘Localness’ programme, celebrating the businesses where its drinks are served.

The free Saatchi Gallery exhibition runs from 28 October to 1 November, alongside behind-the-scenes footage of the sittings.

Related: Coca-Cola’s new global identity.

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