This portrait of cook, restaurateur, food writer and philanthropist Stephanie Alexander AO was created by Tsering Hannaford. The artist’s painterly realism combines a contemporary sensibility and deep engagement with classical portrait traditions. In the first of several sittings in Hannaford’s Tarntanya/Adelaide studio, artist and sitter decided on a pose that portrayed Alexander as confident, accomplished and convivial. Jenny Joseph’s 1961 poem ‘Warning’ – which begins with the line ‘When I am an old woman I shall wear purple’ – inspired the rich wine hues of Alexander’s ensemble and gradating background. The poem is about aging, defiantly and unashamedly. In addition to being Alexander’s favourite colour, purple evokes the forthrightness of the suffragettes, underlining her sustained commitment to wellbeing through an appreciation of fresh, homegrown food. In a career that has spanned five decades, Alexander has inspired generations of home cooks and fundamentally transformed the way we think about food in this country.
Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2023
© National Portrait Gallery of Australia
Marilyn Darling AC (33 portraits supported)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.
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