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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.

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Peter Travis

1971 (printed 2009)
Douglas Thompson

inkjet print on paper (sheet: 48.2 cm x 32.7 cm, image: 42.7 cm x 30.6 cm)
Peter Travis

Peter Travis AM (b. 1929), ceramic artist, designer and teacher, was born in the beachside Sydney suburb of Manly. While working as a designer for Speedo swimwear in 1960, Travis created the iconic male brief Speedo swimming costume. From that year he studied sculpture at East Sydney Technical College under Lyndon Dadswell, and from 1962 he studied ceramics under Peter Rushforth. In the late 1960s he studied ceramics in the USA and ceramic history in the UK. In addition to his pottery, Travis is a leading kite-maker. In 2008 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his work as a designer, sculptor, ceramicist, kite-maker and teacher.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2009
© Douglas Thompson

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
2009.145
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Douglas Thompson (age 39 in 1971)

Peter Travis AM (age 42 in 1971)

Subject professions

Architecture, design and fashion

Visual arts and crafts

Related portraits

Peter Rushforth
Col Levy
Les Blakebrough
James Gleeson
1. Peter Rushforth, 1971 (printed 2009). 2. Col Levy, 1971 (printed 2009). 3. Les Blakebrough, 1971 (printed 2009). 4. James Gleeson, 1974 (printed 2014). All Douglas Thompson.

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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.

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