Catherine 'Cathy' Freeman OAM (b. 1973), athlete, was born in Mackay, Queensland. At the age of sixteen she became the first Aboriginal runner to win a Commonwealth gold medal. She won two more in 1994, and as the first Aboriginal track and field athlete to represent Australia at the Olympic Games, she won a silver medal in the 400m in Atlanta in 1996. She was ranked first in the world in her signature event, the 400m, in which she won back-to-back World Championships in 1997 and 1999 and the Olympic gold medal in 2000. She was the first person to be named both Young Australian of the Year (1990) and Australian of the Year (1998). Freeman retired from running in July 2003, still enjoying the immense popularity she earned during her exceptional career. The Catherine Freeman Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of enhancing opportunities for individuals living in disadvantaged communities.
This photograph was taken at the NSW Academy of Sport in December 1994, by the Canadian-born advertising and fashion photographers, Denis Montalbetti and Gay Campbell.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999
© Montalbetti & Campbell
A photographic portrait of Cathy Freeman created by Montalbetti+Campbell in 1995.
The photograph shows only the face of Cathy and at 121.0 cm x 90.0 cm is roughly four times larger than life. Coloured in tones ranging from sepia to velvety black, her face is closely cropped to exclude her hair and much of her forehead.
Her strong, black, gently arched brows span the width of the image and a water droplet rests in the slight crease between them. Deeply set almond shaped eyes gaze directly forward with intense focus that commands attention. There are dark shadows in the inner corners of her eyes that extend underneath them and a short way down her nose. Cathy’s nose is narrow at the bridge but broadens towards the tip and another water droplet pools at the side of her left nostril.
Light shines on her left cheek making it lighter than her right. Her cheeks are slightly lifted. On the right side, the area between her nose and upper lip is in shadow.
Her full lips are framed by subtle creases on either side. She holds her mouth closed, a droplet gleams and drips from under her rounded chin, suspended in an extended tear shape. Behind it, a narrow band of her neck is visible, the rest disappearing into deep black.
Audio description written by Krysia Kitch and voiced by Emma Bedford
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Magda Keaney talks with Montalbetti+Campbell about their photographic portrait of Australian astronaut Andy Thomas.
First Ladies profiles women who have achieved noteworthy firsts over the past 100 years.
