Mandy Martin (1952–2021), painter, printmaker and teacher, was born in Adelaide and studied at the South Australian School of Art from 1972 to 1975. Having moved to Canberra, she lectured in the School of Art at the Australian National University from 1978 to 2003. She was a Fellow at the ANU until 2007, and became the Adjunct Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society in 2008. A passionate environmentalist, much of Martin's work was motivated by the ‘urgency to address the major issues of land use and exploitation in Australia’. She painted in the landscape, bringing crates of canvases or sketchbooks with her in order to develop an intimate connection with the land, and raised awareness of environmental issues through her projects in regional and remote Australia. Martin held over 100 solo exhibitions during her career, and her paintings are held in many public and private collections.
Anne Zahalka's photograph evokes Martin's environmental concerns, situating her in front of a painting reminiscent of her gigantic landscape Red Ochre Cove (1988), which is displayed in the main committee room at Parliament House.
Gift of Leo Christie 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2021
Leo Christie (10 portraits)
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.
Naomi Cass, Director of the Centre of Contemporary Photography, in conversation with Anne Zahalka.
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.
