Portrait of a barefoot Nova Peris unveiled
A stunning portrait of Nova Peris, the first Aboriginal woman to become a federal parliamentarian and senator, was unveiled at Parliament House, this week.
It was painted by Dr Jandamarra Cadd , the first Indigenous artist to paint a portrait for Parliament's Historic Memorials Collection.
The former senator and dual Olympian in hockey and athletics was shoeless at the unveiling, reflecting her barefoot pose in the portrait.
The painting captured her first speech to the Senate in 2013 when she wore white ochre face paint into the chamber and an outfit of gold silk, featuring dancing brolgas which had had been made in the Northern Territory.
The Department of Parliamentary Services commissioned the portrait for Parliament's collection.
Dr Cadd has been a finalist in several prestigious portrait competitions and his work is held in a number of collections. He is a graduate of Deakin University and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Creative Industries from Central Queensland University.
An emotional day with the unveiling of my portrait in Parliament House! @JandamarraCadd you’ve captured all of me in everything I am & for that I thank you! We’ve both made history, being the 1st Aboriginal artist commissioned by Parliament! Our ancestors would be proud.
— Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD (@NovaPeris) October 16, 2019
🖤💛❤️👣 pic.twitter.com/mGObUdAy3b
The Historic Memorials Collection is Australia's longest-running art commissioning program. Founded by Prime Minister Andrew Fisher in 1911, the collection has commissioned portraits of the Head of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Speakers and Presidents for more than a century.
