A big hand for Mandela: artist reveals giant portrait

The artist John Adams puts the finishing touches to a giant acrylic on canvas painting of Nelson Mandela outside his house in a suburb of Johannesburg on Monday (AP)

The artist John Adams puts the finishing touches to a giant acrylic on canvas painting of Nelson Mandela outside his house in a suburb of Johannesburg on Monday.

Adams said he felt driven to create the painting as thanks to the former President for creating the educational opportunities that enabled him to become an artist. He plans to auction the painting, with the proceeds going to aid South African children’s charities.