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Celebrities who die young tend to have a special place in our collective mythology.

Perth actor Heath Ledger is one of those, and this explosive portrait of him, by Perth photographer Frances Andrijich, is one of many stars in Beyond Likeness , an exhibition of contemporary portraits at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, in the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Centre.

The photograph was commissioned in 1999 by The West Australian newspaper for a magazine cover. "The story was about Heath being a rising star in Hollywood, coinciding with the release of his two films, Two Hands and 10 Things I Hate About You ," Frances said.

"I saw both the films at a private viewing, to get the feel for the direction we wanted to take," she said. "We wanted to reflect Heath's personality and add elements from his films through location and gesture."

Frances chose Jacksue Gallery in the city, which, at the time, was used by a group of artists in which to live and work. She chose the kitchen because she thought it had a 10 Things I Hate About You feel to it.

"I envisioned Heath doing something really energetic like a martial arts move," she said. "He was quite shy when I first met him, but once I told him about my idea and the action we wanted, he took the cue like a true professional and grabbed a saucepan from behind him.

"For me, the final image is reminiscent of the paintballing scene in 10 Things I Hate About You ."

Curator of the exhibition, Winthrop Professor Ted Snell, said Frances Andrijich's photograph of Heath Ledger captured his effervescent vigour.

"For everyone who sees it, the subtext of his tragic early death and his phenomenal international success is implicit in the catalytic spark that ignites him," he said. "Of course not all images of Ledger carry this reading - some neutralise it or simply obliterate it - yet this photograph epitomises his life and achievements in a brilliant moment of explosive energy."

With works sourced from the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia and from commercial galleries, artists and collectors from around the country, Beyond Likeness looks further than physical resemblance to explore how contemporary portraits re-present each subject, their inner life and their achievements.

Another star of the show is a portrait of Brad Pitt in a pensive mood, in shorts and socks.

Beyond Likeness runs until 28 July.

Published in UWA News , 28 May 2012