A portrait of environmental educator and Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in Canberra after being chosen by the public from a shortlist of 25 Australians.
It is the first time the public has participated in the gallery’s commissioning process, with Georgiadis selected over figures including The Wiggles, Tony Armstrong and Miranda Tapsell.
Painted by Victorian artist Rob McHaffie, the large-scale work depicts Georgiadis surrounded by flora and fauna, including Queensland bottle trees, banksias, kangaroo paws, an olive tree referencing his Greek heritage, and a Peron’s tree frog from his garden pond.
Georgiadis said he was honoured to be included in the collection: “I’m thrilled to be given this honour, and am humbled that the public voted for me… It’s a bit surreal, like, I’m going into the National Portrait Gallery.”
He praised McHaffie’s approach, saying: “When I met Rob, the artist, I just knew it was in good hands.”
McHaffie, who grew up watching Gardening Australia, said Georgiadis was an “open book” during the process and hoped the portrait conveyed “the joy and spirit of a man who truly inspires the whole country to get grubby gardening and rewilding.”
NPG director Bree Pickering said the portrait “captures Costa’s generosity and celebrates his connection with nature,” adding: “Costa is a beloved Australian who is a leading voice in environmental sustainability. He has dedicated his life to sharing the joy of gardening with generations of Australians.”
Source: ABC.
