Anthony Mundine (b. 1975), Bundjalung boxer and former rugby league player, was born in Newtown in Sydney's inner south and began his career playing league for Hurstville United. From 1993 until his retirement from the game in 2000 Mundine played for the St George Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos, and represented New South Wales in three State of Origin clashes. In July 2000, aged 25 and at that time one of league's highest-paid players, he began his career anew as a professional boxer, his subsequent tally of victories including the 2003 and 2007 World Boxing Association super-middleweight and the 2009 International Boxing Organisation middleweight world titles. He retired from boxing in 2021 at the age of 45.
In this work, Wiradjuri artist Brooke Andrew toys with the visual language of celebrity and pop culture to underline Mundine's status as a hero and role model: a successful athlete and a vocal spokesperson on issues such as racism in sport. The graphic use of 'Hope' and 'Peace' demonstrate the artist's reconfiguring of advertising imagery to challenge racial stereotypes and consumer messages. The Wiradjuri words either side of the figure mean 'I SEE YOU' and 'YOU SEE ME', while the black and white patterns in the background are based on traditional designs.
Gift of Brook Andrew in memory of Emmaline Rose Charnock 2012. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Brook Andrew/Copyright Agency, 2024
Brook Andrew (1 portrait)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Brook Andrew, Marcia Langton and Anthony Mundine.
Professor Marcia Langton, artist Brook Andrew and printer Trent Walter discuss the creation of Marcia's portrait.
