Jørn Utzon AC (1918-2008), architect, designed the Sydney Opera House. Utzon designed his first building of note, his own home in Copenhagen, in 1952. Just four years later he won the international competition to build the Opera House. He arrived in Australia with the plans in 1963. Construction got off to a premature start, and Utzon's brief changed at Stage 1. By 1964 he was in dispute with the government over his choice of subcontractors for Stage 3. In 1965 a newly elected government, having promised to 'do something' about rising costs on the project, demanded detailed plans and firm timelines; Utzon was also battling his engineering firm, Ove Arup. He resigned in 1966, after the Minister for Public Works stopped paying him. The Opera House was completed in 1973, with interiors totally different from Utzon's models. Utzon was named an Honorary AC in 1985, and in 1999 he and his architect son Jan were appointed 'consultants' to ensure that any future changes to the building would accord with his design principles. In 2003 he was awarded architecture's outstanding honour, the Pritzker Prize.
Purchased with the assistance of funds provided by the Circle of Friends 2004
© Ole Haupt
National Portrait Gallery Circle of Friends (8 portraits supported)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
The story behind the acquisition of the portrait of Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.
