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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

New Australians bring creative wealth

‘Sometimes people come up to me and say, “I'm an artist now and it's all your fault!”’ said Mirka in 2008.

1 Mirka and Philippe - 9 Collins Street, c. 1966 (printed 2015) Lazar Krum. 2 Portrait of Georges Mora, 1956 Charles Blackman OBE. © Charles Blackman/Copyright Agency, 2024. 3 Mirka Mora, 1983 Andrew Sibley. © Andrew Sibley/Copyright Agency, 2024.

Holocaust survivors Georges and Mirka Mora left Paris and immigrated to Melbourne in 1951. They brought with them their enthusiastic, bohemian, European perspective on life, underpinned by a passionate recognition of the importance of creativity – especially through the arts and food – in building a healthy, happy living and working environment. With the establishment of cafes, restaurants, and ultimately galleries, the Moras introduced a new cultural sensibility to their adopted city, giving Melburnians – particularly artists and art lovers – places to go, to socialise and to belong. Melbourne’s artistic community embraced the couple and all that they offered.  The 1956 portrait of Georges by Charles Blackman and 1983 portrait of Mirka by Andrew Sibley are just two expressions of the abiding love and respect felt for the marvellous Moras by their friends, over many years. 

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency