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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Preparatory study for 'Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground'

2001
eX de Medici

watercolour on paper (105.5 cm x 114.0 cm, frame: 120.0 cm x 127.5 cm depth 4.0 cm)

Peter Garrett AM (b. 1953), musician, environmental and social activist, and former politician, is the lead singer of the band Midnight Oil, which originated in Sydney's northern beaches in the mid-1970s. Garrett joined the band following 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 worldwide. It included the hit 'Beds are Burning', performed provocatively by the band at the close of the 2000 Olympics in black overalls printed with the word 'sorry'. Garrett, Martin Rotsey, Rob Hirst, 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. Garrett entered Federal Parliament in 2004 as Labor member for Kingsford Smith. Following Labor's victory in the 2007 election he served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, where he was instrumental in the campaign against 'scientific whaling' in the Antarctic. He became Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth in 2010. After resigning from politics in 2013, he released his memoir, Big Blue Sky, in 2015, and 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.

Commissioned with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001
© eX de Medici

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

eX de Medici (age 42 in 2001)

Midnight Oil

Peter Garrett AM (age 48 in 2001)

Rob Hirst (age 46 in 2001)

Jim Moginie (age 45 in 2001)

Martin Rotsey

Dwayne Hillman (age 43 in 2001)

Supported by

Basil P. Bressler (44 portraits supported)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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