Grange Park Opera

Raphael has been a neighbour of the Gascoignes for more than half a century and is greatly looking forward to creating Bamber’s bench. He recently created a life-size sculpture of Shakespeare sitting on bench near the Globe Theatre, Southwark.

Raphael’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was chosen from 17 artists invited by the British Royal Mint to replace Arnold Machin’s portrait of 1964. Unlike the previous portraits of Her Majesty, Maklouf’s design featured the Queen wearing a necklace and earrings. The designer’s initials ‘RDM’ can be seen at the Queen’s neck. This portrait featured on coins of many Commonwealth nations from 1985 to 1997. His works also include busts of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Margaret Thatcher, Joan Collins, Michael Parkinson and footballer Bobby Moore.

Born in Jerusalem in 1937, Raphael’s family emigrated to Britain after the WW2. He attended Camberwell School of Art until 1958, and was an academic lecturer for ten years.

A quarter of a century ago, Raphael was awarded an FRSA in recognition of his work.