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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.

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Stephanie Alexander AO

2023
Tsering Hannaford

oil on canvas (frame: 113.0 cm x 103.0 cm depth 5.5 cm)

This portrait of cook, restaurateur, food writer and philanthropist Stephanie Alexander AO was created by Tsering Hannaford. The artist’s painterly realism combines a contemporary sensibility and deep engagement with classical portrait traditions. In the first of several sittings in Hannaford’s Tarntanya/Adelaide studio, artist and sitter decided on a pose that portrayed Alexander as confident, accomplished and convivial. Jenny Joseph’s 1961 poem ‘Warning’ – which begins with the line ‘When I am an old woman I shall wear purple’ – inspired the rich wine hues of Alexander’s ensemble and gradating background. The poem is about aging, defiantly and unashamedly. In addition to being Alexander’s favourite colour, purple evokes the forthrightness of the suffragettes, underlining her sustained commitment to wellbeing through an appreciation of fresh, homegrown food. In a career that has spanned five decades, Alexander has inspired generations of home cooks and fundamentally transformed the way we think about food in this country.

Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2023
© National Portrait Gallery of Australia

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

Tsering Hannaford (age 45 in 2023)

Stephanie Alexander AO (age 83 in 2023)

© 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