Portrait of failed Glasgow Willy Wonka experience star unveiled

Actress Kirsty Paterson went viral after playing the part of an Oompa Loompa in the House of Illuminati event, which took place earlier this year.  

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The experience, which was described as 'immersive', saw fuming attendees met by a sparsely decorated room including a few plastic props and small backdrops pinned to walls.

The event was mocked relentlessly on social media and even inspired several events in the city and beyond, including a musical. 

Kirsty told the Glasgow Times: “At the start, I didn’t expect the event to go as viral as it did. I didn’t understand it and I didn’t take that well, as no one would. 

“Something going viral is bad enough, especially an awful picture of you. 

“I tried my best at the event and I’m just lucky the way it worked out for me.” 

But today was nothing but positives for the actor, who saw her character immortalised in a portrait done by artist Ashley Rawson. 

The piece sees Kirsty in her Wonka outfit with orange skin and the famous Duke of Wellington cone on her head. 

The portrait was unveiled outside the Gallery of Modern Art in the city centre at noon today. 

Seeing it in person for the first time, Kirsty said: “It feels really iconic. 

“If three months ago someone said to me that my picture was going to be in the GoMA, I wouldn't have believed it. It's amazing.”

She added: “The art and drawings that have been done of me and have come out of the experience, are amazing. 

"Thousands of people have sent me drawings, so the one great thing that's come of it is the art and Ashley's one really stood out to me, that's why we made it my official picture.” 

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Ashley, also famous for his piece Glasgow Kiss (which shows a Rangers and a Celtic fan kissing), said: "At the start of the year I decided to do a series of paintings about the digital world - but traditionally on canvas.

"Then, this story about the Oompa Loompa popped up and I thought, that's brilliant. 

"Growing up in Glasgow I thought there is a lot of orange make-up around, there's the cone, and I just wanted to develop into a piece of Glasgow folklore. 

"I put it on my Instagram and Kirsty contacted me which was really nice, and it all snowballed from there. I'm delighted."

Prints of the portrait - which cost £45 a pop - will be sold inside the GoMA as of today. 

A portion of proceeds from print sales and the eventual auction of the original painting will go to Kirsty’s chosen charity: ADHD UK. 

Mark Carson, shop manager of the Goma gift shop, said: "It's really good to bring some fun and atmosphere into the Goma. 

"The experience the children had (at the original event) was obviously quite unforgettable, so to try and make something that is more light-hearted and representing the cone too is great."