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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.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Arizona 250 GT Major General Liz Cosson

2013
Richard Larter

computer generated image, synthetic polymer paint and gel-glitters on polyester canvas (support: 163.0 cm x 111.0 cm)

In 2001 Major General Elizabeth Cosson received the Conspicuous Service Cross, a military award for her achievements as the Chief of Staff, Peace Monitoring Group, Bougainville. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (Military Division) on Australia Day 2011 for exceptional service. Cosson wears both medals in this portrait.

Elizabeth Cosson AM CSC (b.1958) enlisted in the Australian Army in 1979. In 2007 she became the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the Australian Army. Throughout her distinguished military career, Cosson held significant logistics and administrative positions, including serving in East Timor. In 2006, she reported on the repatriation of Private Kovco’s body from Iraq. The following year, she was appointed head of National Operations. Cosson retired from the defence force in November 2010 and joined the Australian Public Service.

Artist Richard Larter OAM (1929 - 2014) received the Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2011 for service to the visual arts. Larter scanned drawings, photographic enlargements and collaged cut-outs and transferred them onto canvas using an ‘Arizona 250 GT’ UV flatbed printer. The helicopters reference Cosson’s commendation for her work in improving the availability and deployment of Black Hawk helicopters in Cambodia.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2013
© Richard Larter/Copyright Agency, 2024

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.

Artist and subject

Richard Larter (age 84 in 2013)

Elizabeth Cosson AM CSC (age 55 in 2013)

Subject professions

Military

Donated by

Richard Larter (2 portraits)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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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