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Peter Garrett AM (b. 1953), musician, environmental activist and former politician, is the lead singer of the band Midnight Oil, which originated around Sydney’s northern beaches in the mid-1970s. Following his studies in politics and law at university From the start, the Oils’ songs aggressively addressed social concerns such as the environment, uranium mining and Aboriginal rights. In 1987 they released their eighth album, Diesel and Dust, which sold more than two million copies world-wide. It included the hit ‘Beds are Burning’, performed provocatively at the close of the 2000 Olympics. Martin Rotsey, Rob Hirst, Peter Garrett, Jim Moginie and Bones Hillman effectively disbanded in December 2002. Garrett had become president of the Australian Conservation Foundation in 1989, and continued in the position until 1993; he was president again from 1998 to 2004. Between 2004 and 2013, while Labor member for the Federal seat of Kingsford Smith, Garrett served as minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts and school education, early childhood and youth. Garrett resigned from politics in 2013; his memoir, Big Blue Sky, was published in 2015 and he released a solo album, A Version of Now, the following year. Midnight Oil’s successful ‘Great Circle’ world tour of 2017 comprised more than 70 shows across fourteen countries. In 2019, Garrett received an Honorary Doctorate from the Australian National University.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002
Accession number: 2003.209
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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.
Australian photographer Karin Catt has shot across the spectrum of celebrity, her subjects including rock stars, world leaders and actors.
Magda Keaney explores the symbolism in eX de Medici's portrait of Midnight Oil.
Australian photographer Karin Catt has photographed world leaders, a host of rock stars and Oscar-winning compatriots Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett.