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Self portrait with pin-up

1965
Richard Larter

synthetic polymer paint and alkyd resin on composition board (frame: 124.7 cm x 79.4 cm, sight: 121.0 cm x 75.6 cm)

Richard Larter (1929 - 2014), artist, studied art in London and travelled to Algiers before migrating to Australia with his family in 1962. He was soon characterised as an Australian Pop artist for his flat, collage-like paintings, which incorporated brightly coloured painted heads of celebrities, sex symbols, dictators, politicians and porn stars, often represented by his late wife, the performance artist Pat Larter. Larter has also made a significant body of geometric, ethereal and glittery abstract paintings, elements of which have often filled the backgrounds of the figurative works. This painting, featuring an intricate hypodermic syringe technique originally inspired by Arabic calligraphy, contains many of the elements characteristic of Larter's figurative and abstract work.

Purchased with funds provided by the Basil Bressler Bequest 2002
© Richard Larter/Copyright Agency, 2024

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.
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4 minutes 20 seconds
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Artist and subject

Richard Larter (age 36 in 1965)

Subject professions

Visual arts and crafts

Supported by

Basil P. Bressler (44 portraits supported)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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