A Powys artist picked up his MBE this week - while dressed in a way that captured a slice of his notorious flair. 

Pink was the new black for Berriew sculptor and jeweller Andrew Logan as he accepted his MBE for services to the arts from Princess Royal Windsor Castle as investors investiture ceremonies were held again after a summer break.

He cut quite a dash as he dressed head to toe in a hot pink suit to receive the prestigious accolade.

Mr Logan was included in the King's Birthday Honours list in June 2024, being made a Member of the British Empire for services to the arts in a career spanning over 50 years.

On receiving the honour, he said: “My work is about joy, and it is quite wonderful to be acknowledged for spreading a message of joy around the world. I just do what I love doing and hopefully it will improve the world a little bit.

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“That’s my message through my sculpture, my performance, my museum, everything. This is an award for the celebration of life. It was my vision for the world. It’s wonderful to celebrate something joyful.”

Originally studying architecture in the 1960s, Andrew Logan found fame as an artist amongst London's fashionable crowd, earning high profile fans and muses such as Brian Eno, broadcaster Mavis Nicholson, actresses Rula Lenska and Amanda Barrie.

He is also famous for holding ‘Alternative Miss World Pageants’ the first of which was held in 1972 and inspired by the late American actor, singer and drag queen Divine, and has welcomed judges like have included Jarvis Cocker, Tim Curry and Billy Connolly. In 2022 the event celebrated its 50th year at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

His work and sculptures have been exhibited around the world, in places such as Los Angeles, Monterrey in Mexico, St Petersburg and Mumbai.

A friend of Oscar-winning actress Julie Christie brought Mr Logan to Montgomeryshire during the 1970s, eventually making it his permanent base when Berriew landowner William Corbett-Winder offered an empty squash court for his museum in the Powys village.

On his Powys based exhibit, he said: “The museum is dear to my heart because the whole point was bringing art to the countryside and not for everything to be in London and in the city.

“That was 33 years ago or more and it’s still flourishing welcoming visitors from all over the world.”