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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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Alex Miller, novelist

2022
Hong Fu

oil on canvas (support: 152.0 cm x 122.0 cm)
Alex Miller, novelist

Alex Miller, aged 85, is a twice winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award. I met him about 15 years ago at a party hosted by a common friend. What stands out about Alex is how humorous and chatty he is. He likes my art and comes to my exhibitions, and I enjoy speaking to him about various topics. I went to visit his lovely home in Castlemaine and painted a few portraits of him.

For this painting my focus was on showing Alex in deep thought. The hand is the tool of every great writer, so I made that the centrepiece.

Darling Portrait Prize 2022 Highly Commended

Gift of the artist 2022
© Hong Fu

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.
2022.56
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Hong Fu (age 76 in 2022)

Alexander Miller (age 86 in 2022)

Donated by

Hong Fu (1 portrait)

Related portraits

Alex Miller
Alex Miller
1. Alex Miller, 1992. 2. Alex Miller, 1992. All Rick Amor.

Related information

The companion
The companion
The companion
The companion

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Publications

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
2020, 2021 Jaq Grantford
2020, 2021 Jaq Grantford
2020, 2021 Jaq Grantford
2020, 2021 Jaq Grantford

Darling Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015). The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.
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.

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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