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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.

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 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

Current exhibition

from Saturday 12 April

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

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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.

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