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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.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Reg Richardson AM

2014
Mitch Cairns

oil on linen (frame: 124.8 cm x 104.4 cm depth 4.5 cm, support: 122.5 cm x 102.0 cm)

Reg Richardson AM, charity fundraiser, grew up in Broken Hill, and left school at fifteen for an office job with the Zinc Corporation mine. Moving to Sydney, he owned and managed businesses in diverse fields. Having persuaded his friend Greg Poche AO to donate $40 million towards a facility for melanoma research, Richardson was appointed chairman of the Melanoma Institute Australia in 2007. Together the two men founded the Poche Indigenous Health Network, which aims to close the gap in life expectancy and achieve health equality for First Nations peoples. A notable art collector, Richardson's own charitable contributions combined with those he has coaxed from others amount to some $140 million.

Richardson began acquiring Mitch Cairns' work while Cairns was a student at the National Art School. Cairns said that in his portrait of Richardson – a 2014 Archibald Prize finalist – he aimed to capture 'the way Reg conducts himself. His manner is characterised by an air of casual distinction in which education, wit and anecdote sit comfortably without pretension. He is both affable and compelling … I hope this portrait, like Reg, is somewhat humble yet at the same time resonant with magnitude.' Richardson wears his trademark red and green glasses and socks in tribute to his beloved Sydney Rabbitohs.

Purchased with funds provided by the Circle of Friends 2015
© Mitch Cairns

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Mitch Cairns (age 30 in 2014)

Reg Richardson AM

Supported by

National Portrait Gallery Circle of Friends (8 portraits supported)

Related portraits

1. Self portrait, 2024. All Mitch Cairns.
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

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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