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Hugh Jackman AC (b. 1968) is the ultimate triple threat – actor, singer and dancer. Best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men movies, Jackman grew up in Sydney and turned down a role in Neighbours to focus on honing his skills at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Soon after graduating in 1994 he scored a role in the ABC television drama, Correlli, playing opposite Deborra-Lee Furness, who he married the following year. He won a Tony Award for his performance as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz (2003–2004), a Golden Globe for his role as Jean Valjean in the film Les Misérables (2012) and a Grammy for The Greatest Showman (2017).
Vincent Fantauzzo had organised to meet Jackman to take photos in preparation for this portrait, when Covid-19 hit and the actor flew back to New York. Instead, the portrait was based on an image by Furness and on Zoom chats between Jackman and Fantauzzo. 'There's a look in Hugh's eyes, it’s a moment in a conversation with someone he knows and trusts. It's not a GQ photo shoot. There's a love and intimacy, a side of Hugh that’s not the showman, it’s not Wolverine. I want people to walk in, see the portrait of Hugh and feel a real connection.'
Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation and Paul Dainty AM and Donna Dainty 2020
© Vincent Fantauzzo
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Vincent Fantauzzo on painting his portrait of Hugh Jackman.
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