Forget Namatjira, this is the portrait Gina Rinehart wants you to see
By Karl Quinn
Gina Rinehart is finally OK with the idea of her portrait being hung in Canberra.
But no, this is not the much-discussed and disputed painting by Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira, which hangs in the National Gallery of Australia. Parties close to Rinehart have called for that image to be removed on the grounds that its display is “doing the bidding of the Chinese government” by showing her in what she apparently considers an unflattering manner.
Gina Rinehart with her South African-born CEO, Garry Korte.Credit: Getty Images
This is an entirely separate painting – from a series whose existence this masthead revealed on May 21 – and the mining magnate thoroughly approves of it. She has given it to the National Portrait Gallery, though the institution has yet to hang it.
A Senate estimates committee on Friday heard from National Portrait Gallery director Bree Pickering that the portrait had been donated by the Hancock Prospecting boss, with a specific set of instructions relating to the manner of its display.
Pickering did not reveal what those specifics were because they are still under negotiation, but she did say that for most people, having a portrait in the institute’s collection is seen as an honour.
“People tend to be happy to have their painting in the gallery,” she said, adding: “We don’t often accept gifts with conditions.
“We will work with an artist often to understand how they would like their artwork displayed, but the sitter does not normally have any say over how it is displayed.”
The painting has not yet been accessioned – officially entered into the gallery’s collection – because of the ongoing negotiations over the conditions of its display. In fact, Pickering wasn’t even entirely sure of the artist’s name when questioned on Friday.
“If you will forgive me, I may have to just quickly look,” she said, referring to her notes (it was almost as if she’d expected to be grilled on the subject). “Alex is her first name. Cortex, I think, is her surname.”
In fact, the artist behind the “authorised” portrait is Perth-based painter Alix Korte. But she isn’t exactly courting the limelight.
This portrait of Gina Rinehart, posted on the mining billionaire’s official website without attribution, is the work of Alix Korte.Credit: ginarinehart.com.au
When this masthead called to ask if she had indeed painted a portrait of Rinehart, she replied, “No, I don’t want to discuss this”, and hung up the phone.
Though Korte is a painter of some accomplishment, whose pastel-hued works range across landscapes, seascapes, animals and “plein air” as well as portraiture, she also happens to be married to Hancock Prospecting chief executive Garry Korte.
And it transpires that the portrait in question comes from a series, one of which was originally presented to Rinehart by her CEO as a birthday present.
“Fortunately, I just happened to know an artist, which is very handy when it comes to personalised gifts,” Garry Korte said in a speech whose text can be found on the company website.
Vincent Namatjira’s portrait of Gina Rinehart at the National Gallery of Australia.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“We wanted to choose something that reflected your family’s long connection to the land and your love of the outback, which I know is very near and dear to your heart,” he said of his wife’s work. “I think it has turned out very well and we hope that you like it.”
We’re sure she did. A lot more than that other one, anyway.
Contact the author at kquinn@theage.com.au, follow him on Facebook at karlquinnjournalist and on Twitter @karlkwin, and read more of his work here.