A remarkable new portrait of the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, created by a graduating BA (Hons) Fine Art student from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has been officially unveiled at London City Hall.
Tia Mirza created the piece, which was unveiled at an official event on 16 July, as part of her final university project.
Coinciding with South Asian Heritage Month and marking the Mayor’s 10th year in office, the striking realism portrait breaks away from traditional political settings. Instead, the painting depicts Sadiq Khan on the side of a classic London bus, rendered in the iconic red, white and blue of the Union Jack.
The concept pays a deeply personal tribute to the Mayor’s background as the son of a London bus driver who grew up in Tooting, framing his journey as a powerful narrative of social mobility, identity and public service.
“It is a huge honour to be painted by London artist Tia Mirza," Sir Sadiq says. "It marks a significant milestone as I reflect on 10 years as Mayor of London.
"To mark this moment during South Asian Heritage Month makes it extra special, as we celebrate the major contribution South Asian communities make to our incredible city.”
Presenting the artwork to the Mayor at London City Hall, Tia said to Sir Sadiq, “It is such a privilege to be able to present this painting to you. Rather than depicting you in a traditional political setting, I chose to paint your portrait on the side of a London bus, inspired by your personal connection through your father's work as a London bus driver and how much you’ve done for London transport. Sharing a British Asian background, I was also inspired by your views on identity and belonging.”
The journey to the unveiling began a year ago when Tia, determined to build a career as a commission-based realism artist, noticed that the Mayor lacked an official portrait to mark his milestone decade in leadership.
The portrait was meticulously developed following a photography sitting with the Mayor at City Hall in October last year, in which Tia captured the exact expression of warmth and determination that defines the finished piece.
Attending the unveiling alongside the artist’s family, Jonathan Carr, Pro Vice-Chancellor at AUB, comments, “Tia’s achievement represents the absolute pinnacle of what we encourage our students to aim for at AUB. To see an undergraduate student demonstrate this level of creative vision, professional persistence, and technical mastery is exceptional.
“Securing a sitting with a figure as prominent as the Mayor of London for a final-year project is unprecedented, and the resulting portrait is a masterful testament to traditional realism. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone moment with Tia today.”
The painting was showcased at the Undergraduate Summer Shows at AUB earlier this month before being transported to London for its permanent presentation to the Mayor.
