Kiffy Rubbo (1944-1980) was director of the Ewing and George Paton Gallery at the University of Melbourne from 1973 to 1980. There, the 1974 exhibition A Room of One’s Own helped initiate the Melbourne women’s art movement. In 1975, the first meeting of the feminist art group, the Women’s Art Register, was held at EGPG. During Rubbo’s directorship Janine Burke curated the exhibition Australian Women Artists – 1840-1940; other groundbreaking shows included When You Think About Art What Do You Think? In an obituary following Rubbo’s unexpected death in 1980, Mary Eagle credited her with focused, gentle encouragement of a generation of artists, as well as paying tribute to her as the most beautiful woman she had ever known.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012
© Estate of Robert Rooney
Accession number: 2012.103
Copyright image request form
Request a digital copy of an image for publication
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.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
Timed ticketing, location, accessibility and amenities
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
Principal partner
Strategic partner
Cultural partner
Media partner
Media partner
Media partner
Beverage partner
Imaging partner
Digital partner
Audio visual partner
