Hal Missingham AO (1906-1994), best known as a gallery director, was also an artist and photographer. Before World War II he studied in Perth, Paris and London, where he became friendly with a number of leading artists and developed an interest in photography. He returned to Sydney in 1941 and after a stint in the AIF helped to found the Studio of Realist Art. In 1945 he succeeded Will Ashton as the Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a post he retained until 1971. His collection policy made an outstanding contribution to Australian contemporary art and he was responsible for bringing a number of influential international exhibitions to the country. His memoir of his career as an arts administrator, They Kill You in the End, was published in 1973.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Rex Dupain 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
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.
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.
