Skip to main content
Menu

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Richard Walley OAM honoured in new Portrait Gallery commission

2 September 2015

Richard Walley, 2015 Dr Julie Dowling. © Julie Dowling/Copyright Agency, 2024

The Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Angus Trumble, invites media to the launch of a new commissioned portrait funded by the Gallery’s Foundation at Murdoch University in Perth tonight, Wednesday 2 September.

The new portrait, by celebrated Indigenous artist Julie Dowling depicts indigenous advocate, writer, artist, performer and Murdoch University alumni Richard Walley OAM.

Director, Angus Trumble, is honoured to unveil this significant addition to the collection in Perth.

‘We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring together Julie Dowling and Richard Walley in this special way, with the support of the National Portrait Gallery Foundation. Without the support of our donors and sponsors these commissions would not be possible,’ he said.

‘As two leading Indigenous figures from Western Australia, it is wonderful to launch the portrait in their home state.’

Murdoch University Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Andrew Taggart, is pleased to be hosting the unveiling at the University.

‘Murdoch University is delighted to be hosting an event of this nature, as this will be the first time an Indigenous West Australian will be represented in a painting at the National Portrait Gallery,’ he said.

‘With both Richard and Julie holding Honorary Doctorates from Murdoch University, we are immensely proud of the work that they have done out in the community and look forward to this stunning piece of art being admired by generations to come.’

Richard Walley OAM is a former Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council. He is also the founder and director of Aboriginal Productions and Promotions.

Julie Dowling is known for her social realist style of painting, drawing on a diverse range of traditions including European portraiture, Christian icons, mural painting, dotting and Indigenous Australian iconography. Her work is represented in most major Australian public collections.

The commission was made possible through the generous contributions of Foundation members Alan Dodge AM, Neil Archibald, Brandon Munro, Dr Walter Ong and Graeme Marshall.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency