A portrait of environmental educator and Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in Canberra after winning a public vote from a shortlist of 25 Australians, The Greek Herald reported.
It is the first time the public has taken part in the gallery’s commissioning process. Georgiadis was chosen ahead of contenders including children’s entertainment group The Wiggles, television presenter Tony Armstrong and actress Miranda Tapsell.
The large-scale portrait, painted by Victorian artist Rob McHaffie, shows Georgiadis surrounded by native plants and animals, among them Queensland bottle trees, banksias, kangaroo paws and a Peron’s tree frog from his garden pond. An olive tree in the composition nods to his Greek heritage.
Georgiadis said he was humbled to be included in the collection. “I’m thrilled to be given this honor, and am humbled that the public voted for me… It’s a bit surreal, like, I’m going into the National Portrait Gallery,” he said.
He praised McHaffie’s work, adding: “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 captured “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 painting “captures Costa’s generosity and celebrates his connection with nature,” describing Georgiadis as “a beloved Australian who is a leading voice in environmental sustainability.”
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