Tamara Tchinarova (1919-2017), dancer, was a pupil of the great Russian teacher Olga Preobrajenska, formerly of the Imperial Russian Ballet. She went to Roumanian Bessarabia soon after the Russian Revolution, and at seventeen became one of the original 'baby ballerinas' of Colonel de Basil's 1932 Ballets Russes company. Tchinarova came to Australia on the first and second tours of the Russian ballets. At the conclusion of the second tour she elected to remain here. In about 1939 she married the young actor Peter Finch, who had recently made his film debut in Dad and Dave Come to Town. During the 1940s she contributed significantly to the development of fledgling Australian dance companies including the Kirsova Ballet and the Borovansky Ballet. After she retired from dancing she worked as a Russian/English interpreter for touring ballet companies, including the Australian Ballet, and as a dance writer.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Rex Dupain 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Accession number: 2003.75
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Rex Dupain (15 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.
Johanna McMahon revels in history and mystery in pursuit of a suite of unknown portrait subjects.
Gael Newton delves into the life and art of renowned Australian photographer, Max Dupain.
Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.
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