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Len Zuks, carpenter and welder in UWA's building workshop, was busy on campus, sporting his grey overalls as one of the University's Mr Fixits.

At the same time, Len Zuks the internationally renowned artist had two paintings on display in Lebanon: the first as part of a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity; the other as part of a London Olympics exhibition in Beirut. The International Flag Art Exhibition opened in Beirut in May and will continue in major Lebanese cities until August. Artists from 40 countries around the world were invited to submit original paintings that were transformed into flags to fly on the Beirut waterfront and avenues of other cities.

All the artists were members of the Olympic Fine Arts Association. Len, the only Australian invited to exhibit, became a member of that group when he exhibited his sculptures during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The second exhibition, a London Olympics solidarity event, brought the Olympic spirit to Beirut this month, with a display of variations on the Union Jack at the British Embassy.

The Olympic artists were asked to create their version of the British national flag. After a day at the Embassy, the flags were transferred to the façade of the historic Phoenicia Hotel, where they will remain for the duration of the Games.

Published in UWA News , 25 June 2012