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Democracy Manifest Man Has Become A Talented Painter And Is Now Taking Submissions

Democracy Manifest Man Has Become A Talented Painter And Is Now Taking Submissions

Jack Karlson has started doing paintings of his infamous arrest but says he'll do anything that someone suggests.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

You're probably well familiar with the man known around the world as 'Mr Democracy Manifest'.

His viral video, which has racked up millions of views, was originally filmed around 30 years ago when Jack Karlson was led away from a Sydney restaurant in handcuffs.

But the 78-year-old decided to put on a show for the cameras and, with a theatrical voice that could make Shakespeare quake, Jack bellowed: "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!"

He followed it up with some now-iconic lines like 'Get your hands off my penis', 'What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal', 'Ah yes, I see that you know your judo well' and 'Ta-ta, and farewell'.

That infamous moment only found fame online in 2009 and Jack had no idea he was a celebrity in Australian sub-culture. But you might be dazzled to know that beyond Mr Karlson's incredible voice and brilliant improvisation skills, he's also a very talented painter.

Jack first learned his way around a paintbrush when he was in Sydney's infamous Long Bay Jail.

He's told LADbible that a fellow prisoner warned him he was going to be transferred to Grafton jail, which he described as 'a beast of a place' and he should start painting so that he could stay at Long Bay. Jack alluded to the idea that if you had a particular skill then you wouldn't be transferred.

But because he had zero skills, a different inmate let him pretend that a few half-finished sketches were Jack's.

The now-78-year-old said when then-Magistrate Murray Farquhar visited, he looked at Jack's 'work' and revoked his transfer to Grafton.

"Then I started painting," Jack told us. "I've been painting for 50 years."

"That's all I've ever done in me life is paint. That's all I've ever wanted to do. I've got a studio here [in regional Queensland] and it's all I've ever wanted to do. I've done landscapes, I've done portraits of people and things like that."

When Jack's online stardom started to reach fever pitch, someone told him that he should start doing portraits of his infamous arrest. And that's exactly what he's done. There are about six works that he's currently finishing and they look amazing.

But when we asked him whether he'd take submissions from people, he replied with: "Depends on what you would want me to paint. I can paint anything."

Obviously you'd have to chuck him some money, but imagine having a beautiful piece of art hanging in your home from Mr Democracy Manifest.

If you're keen to commission a piece of art from Jack, head to his website for more information.

Democracy Manifest/Crowbar Sydney

Painting aside, Jack has also allowed his face and iconic status to be the face of a new wine bottle that he says is a 'top drop'.

It's called 'Get Your Hands Off My Pinot' and it'll set you back $30 for a bottle or $360 for a case of 12.

Crowbar Sydney is the brains behind this incredible creation and they deserve to be patted on the back, mainly for the way they describe it on their website.

The description states: "This succulent Victorian Pinot is made with freshness as the main focus, bright red fruits that know their Judo well. Fine tannins that put the wine in a gentle headlock with a long finish."

Featured Image Credit: Democracy Manifest Instagram

Topics: News, Australia