Skip to main content
Menu
What's on Prizes The Portraits Watch
The Gallery Governance & Board Circle of Friends
Learn Access Search the website
close close
What's on The Portraits The Gallery Learn Watch More O

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.

Dinkie is Thom's Friend, 2024

Thom Roberts

synthetic polymer paint on canvas (overall: 183.0cm x 122.0cm)
Dinkie is Thom's Friend, 2024

‘This is a portriff of the lady who cleans the bathrooms at Studio A. Her real name is Subita but I call her Dinkie Duck because I like to rename people and places. Whenever she appears, wheeling her trolley, I always say, “Oh no, not my friend Dinkie Duck!” and I tell everyone at the studio, “Guess who’s here, it’s Dinkie!” It sounds like I don’t like it when she arrives, but I am just kidding. She is my friend. I wanted to paint Dinkie, and Woody [Studio A principal artist Emma Johnston] helped me ask her. I wanted to do a big painting of Dinkie. As big as real life.’

Collection of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions Australia
© Thom Roberts. Courtesy of Studio A

Related information

Thom Roberts
Thom Roberts
Thom Roberts
Thom Roberts

Trains, Towers and Thom Roberts

Magazine article by Isobel Parker Philip, 2025

Isobel Parker Philip introduces artist Thom Roberts, whose distinctive portraits of people, buildings and personified trains define the world as he experiences it.
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover

The Immersive World of Thom Roberts

Previous exhibition, 2025

A free exhibition of over 100 works by contemporary Australian artist Thom Roberts. Step into his world and experience bold paintings, animation and installation works where people and places intertwine.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The Gallery

Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
Home Contact Media Privacy statement User agreement Social media and community guidelines
© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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