Gina Rinehart is finally okay with the idea of her portrait being hung in Canberra.
Not the much-discussed painting by Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira, of which she so strongly disapproves. Turns out there is an entirely separate painting – from a series first revealed by this masthead – and this one she likes.
A portrait of Gina Rinehart, from a series by WA artist Alix Korte, posted on the mining billionaire’s official website.Credit: ginarinehart.com.au
So much so that she has gifted it to the capital’s National Portrait Gallery, though the institution has yet to hang it.
A senate estimates committee on Friday heard from NPG director Bree Pickering that the portrait had been gifted by the Hancock Prospecting boss, with a very specific set of instructions relating to the manner of its display.
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.
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“If you will forgive me, I may have to just quickly look,” she said, referring to her notes. “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 – who just happens to be married to Hancock Prospecting chief executive Garry Korte.
One portrait in the series was 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,” Korte said in his presentation speech.
Ms Korte, though, isn’t exactly revelling in her moment in the spotlight. When this masthead called to ask about her portrait of Rinehart, she replied, “no, I don’t want to discuss this” and hung up the phone.