Thea Astley (1925-2004), novelist, was born in Brisbane and studied arts at the University of Queensland before becoming a teacher. After marrying, she moved to Sydney, where she tutored at Macquarie University. Publishing her first novel, Girl with a Monkey, in 1958, she went on to write fourteen books. Astley won a record four Miles Franklin awards - for The Well Dressed Explorer (1962), The Slow Natives (1965), The Acolyte (1972) and Drylands (2000) - and two Age Book of the Year awards. In 1989, the year in which she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Queensland, she won the Patrick White Award. Her last public recognition was a special award at the 2002 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, for her lifetime achievement as a 'trailblazer'.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2006
© Jozef Vissel
Accession number: 2006.19
Copyright image request form
Request a digital copy of an image for publication
Jozef Vissel (13 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.
To celebrate the centenary of the birth of poet Alec Derwent Hope AC OBE (1907-2000), the National Portrait Gallery exhibited a selection from its many portraits of Australian poets and authors.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
Timed ticketing, location, accessibility and amenities
Principal partner
Strategic partner
Cultural partner
Media partner
Beverage partner
Imaging partner
Digital partner
Audio visual partner
