HIDDEN FACES
The 2024 Victorian Salon des Refusés
This portrait was submitted to the Portia Geach Prize
click on artwork to enlarge
|
Cat #24 Raelene Sharp
PEGGY O'NEAL (Richmond for Ever) Oil on Linen Canvas 97 cm w x 135 cm h $15,000 Artist’s Statement Peggy O'Neal AO is an American-born Australian lawyer who served as the president of the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2013 - 2022. She was the first woman in AFL history to serve as a club president and was president when Richmond won three premiership flags in four years. The Australian Financial Review named her in its list of "Top 100 Women of Influence". In 2019 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to Australian rules football, to superannuation and finance law, and to the advancement of women in leadership roles. She was appointed Chancellor of RMIT University in October 2021. Being a Richmond football fan I couldn’t resist asking Peggy to sit for me. She is such an inspiring woman in any endeavour she pursues. I have painted her sitting with her favourite Richmond scarf and books that have a significant meaning in her personal and academic life. |