© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Sir John W. Downer KCMG, KC
Biography
Sir J.W. Downer was a delegate from South Australia to the Constitutional Convention, Sydney, 1891.
2 portraits in the collection
The Australasian Federal Convention at Sydney, 1884
The Graphic
Portrait, wood engraving on paper
Purchased 2015
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, Sydney 1891, 1891
an unknown artist
Portrait, engravings on paper
Purchased 2009
Avril Thomas
Biography
Avril Thomas (b. 1956), artist, was born in Malaysia and went to boarding school in Scotland and Australia.
2 portraits in the collection
Tania Verstak, 1962 (printed 2006)
Jozef Vissel
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2006
Tania Verstak, 1962
Jozef Vissel
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005
John Dowie AM
Biography
John Dowie AM (1915–2008), artist and teacher, is best known for his public sculptures held in most Australian capital cities.
1 portrait in the collection
Spikes: then and now
Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2006
As part of its ongoing program of commissions of portraits of prominent Australians, the National Portrait Gallery has unveiled a portrait of Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson-Nelson by South Australian artist Avril Thomas.
Petal to the mettle
Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2019
Sarah Engledow lauds the very civil service of Dame Helen Blaxland.