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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.

John Laws

1981
John Williams

montage of gelatin silver photographs (26.5 cm x 69.0 cm)
John Laws

John Laws CBE (b. 1935) is a radio talkback commentator who broadcasts to 65 stations around Australia on Sydney's 2UE. He has hosted three national television series, written for three Sydney newspapers and has published four books, including the John Laws Book of Uncommon Sense and the John Laws Barbecue Cookbook. Laws was the subject of scrutiny in the 'cash for comment' enquiry into public broadcasting, which sparked widespread discussion on the influence of the media on consumer choices. John F. Williams photographed him on the set of the television chat show Beauty and the Beast.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999
© Estate of John Williams

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.
1999.34
Currently not on display
Request a digital copy for publication

Artist and subject

John Williams (age 48 in 1981)

John Laws CBE OBE (age 46 in 1981)

Subject professions

Media and communications

Related portraits

Al Grassby and Penny Dent, Community Relations Commission, Canberra
Rev. Fred Nile, Festival of Light, Sydney
Ita Buttrose
1. Al Grassby and Penny Dent, Community Relations Commission, Canberra, 1982. 2. Rev. Fred Nile, Festival of Light, Sydney, 1981. 3. Ita Buttrose, 1981. All John Williams.

Related information

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Café and shop

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester

Depth of Field

Portrait Photography from the Collection

Previous exhibition, 2004

Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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.

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