Australia’s richest woman demands gallery remove her portrait, artist says others “don’t have to like my pictures”

Australia’s richest woman demands gallery remove her portrait, artist says others “don’t have to like my pictures”

The gallery described the exhibition as “a wry look at the politics of history, power and leadership from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.”



<p>Bradley Kanaris/Getty</p>
<p> Gina Rinehart” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3xIokQ2LUK9cj3pS3fY5Kw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/8d74009864d785 67b4f27938e6339a5a”/></p>
<p>Bradley Kanaris/Getty</p>
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Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Gina Rinehart

Australia’s richest woman has reportedly demanded that an unflattering portrait of herself be removed from a gallery.

Gina Rinehart, 70, a mining magnate with an estimated fortune of $22 billion, has called for the removal of her portrait by Australian Aboriginal artist Vincent Namatjira, which is currently on display as part of an exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald.

Both Rinehart and employees of Hancock Prospecting, her company, have filed numerous complaints, according to the Financial report.

In a statement shared with Business Insider, the artist said: “People don’t have to like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to look at them and think, ‘why did this Aboriginal man paint these powerful people?'”

“Some people may not like it, some people may find it funny, but I hope people look beneath the surface and see the serious side as well,” he added.



<p>Iwantja Arts/Vincent Namatjira</p>
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<p>Iwantja Arts/Vincent Namatjira</p>
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Iwantja Arts/Vincent Namatjira

Gina Rinehart

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Rinehart, who is listed as a “friend” of the gallery – meaning she donated between $4,999 and $9,999 – has openly expressed her support for Donald Trump and refused to condemn comments made by her late father about Indigenous Australians, according to Business Insider and the Sydney Morning Herald.

In a statement on its website, the gallery described the exhibition as “a wry look at the politics of history, power and leadership from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.”

As for the actual portrait, gallery director Nick Mitzevich said the National Gallery of Australia “welcomes the public engaging in dialogue about our collection and exhibitions,” according to The Independent.

PEOPLE has contacted both the National Gallery of Australia and Hancock Prospecting for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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The executive director of Australia’s National Association for the Visual Arts has also released a statement speaking on behalf of the artist.

“While Rinehart has the right to express her opinion on the work, she does not have the authority to pressure the gallery to withdraw the painting just because she doesn’t like it,” Penelope Benton said, according to 9News.



<p>National Gallery of Australia/Cambridge/Canberra</p>
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<p>National Gallery of Australia/Cambridge/Canberra</p>
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National Gallery of Australia/Cambridge/Canberra

Gina Rinehart

Related: NYC museum finds ‘hastily concealed’ little dog hidden in Pablo Picasso painting

The exhibition runs until July 21st.

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