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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.

Self portrait with goose feathers

2004
William Robinson AO

colour lithograph on paper, edition 62/100 (sheet: 57.0 cm x 40.0 cm)
Image not available

After moving to a larger property in Beechmont, in the Gold Coast

hinterland, William Robinson AO focused on creating works inspired by

the landscape, documenting his surroundings, his home and the day-to-day

life of his growing family. As well as being reflections of the world

around him, Robinson’s works revisit memories of his life. In Self portrait with goose feathers Robinson

wears a bright yellow raincoat and a hat made from an animal feed bag.

While the self portrait is seemingly whimsical, there is suffering

underlining the work. The goose feathers symbolise escape from tragic

events within Robinson’s life, including the deaths of two of his

children.

Purchased 2022
© William Robinson

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

William Robinson AO (age 68 in 2004)

Related portraits

1. William Robinson, 1994. All Greg Weight.
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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