Les Tanner was one of Australia’s best-known caricaturists. Born in Glebe, New South Wales, he is said to have taken up drawing portraits as early as age five, and as a teenager contributed cartoons to the school newspaper.
4 portraits in the collection
Purchased 2004
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Emeritus Professor Colin A Hughes 2015
Purchased 2004
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2004
Les Tanner and Gus McLaren met in occupied Japan after the war, where they both drew cartoons for the British Commonwealth Occupation newspaper.
2 portraits in the collection
William Mora (1953–2023), art dealer and gallerist, was the eldest son of artist Mirka Mora and restauranteur and gallery owner Georges Mora.
1 portrait in the collection
Gift of the artist 2015
Seventeen of Australia’s thirty prime ministers to date are represented in the contrasting sizes, moods and mediums of these portraits.
Joanna Gilmour describes how artist Sam Leach works on a small scale to grand effect.
Sarah Engledow explores the history of the prime ministers and artists featured in the exhibition.