Crystal portrait celebrates Marilyn Monroe at 100

A special portrait of the film icon Marilyn Monroe, created using 150,000 crystals, will be unveiled to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth.

Artist San B, from Brentwood in Essex, took more than 1,000 hours to build the collector's piece, placing each crystal and individual two-carat diamonds by hand.

"I've strived to create a culturally significant, spiritual piece of living art for this milestone anniversary, with the intricate crystal mosaic drawing in the beholder to reflect on the enduring fascination with Monroe's image," the artist said.

Marilyn Monroe: Immortal will be displayed from Wednesday at the Iconic Images Gallery at Waterloo Place in Piccadilly, London.

The 38-year-old artist said: "Marilyn Monroe is not just an icon, she is one of the most recognisable and emotionally loaded figures in culture; the perfect subject for both the ambition of a flagship piece and the care behind it."

San B's previous projects include a profile of Queen Elizabeth II for Rolls-Royce.

He has also created portraits of celebrities, including Anthony Joshua and Bruno Mars, with exhibits at Christie's and The Savoy.

To date, San B's artwork has raised more than £500,000 for various charities.

The work will be sold at a private auction in July and a percentage of the funds will be donated to Caudwell Children, a UK charity that helps disabled and autistic children.

Donations will also be made to the Caudwell Youth Foundation, which mentors at-risk young people struggling with violent behaviour and/or mental health issues.

Dana Carpenter, executive vice president of Authentic Brands Group, executors of the Marilyn Monroe Estate, said: "This exclusive one-of-a-kind piece makes a statement as intricate and multifaceted as Marilyn and is a beautiful way to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday."

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