Slim Dusty AO MBE (1927-2003) was Australia's most prolific recording artist, his travelling show an Australian tradition. He wrote his first song, 'The Way the Cowboy Dies', when he was ten years old, and styled himself 'Slim Dusty' at eleven. His song 'The Pub With no Beer' (1957) was the first international hit by an Australian recording artist, and was awarded Australia's first gold record. It remains the only 78rpm gold record in Australia. Dusty held more gold and platinum records than any other Australian artist, and won 32 Tamworth Country Music Festival Golden Guitars. In 1999 he was named Father of the Year and inaugural Senior Australian of the Year. His 100th album was released in July 2000. John Elliott photographed Dusty for decades. In 1993, he captured the singer with superstar Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) on a West Australian cattle station.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999
© John Elliott
John Elliott (age 42 in 1993)
Slim Dusty OBE (age 71 in 1993)
Barry Humphries (age 59 in 1993)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
John Elliott talks about his photographic portrait practice, including his iconic image of Slim Dusty arm-in-arm with Dame Edna Everage.
The biographical exhibition of Barry Humphries was the first display of its kind at the National Portrait Gallery.
