Portrait of Rex Irwin (1990)
- Community Services and Programs
-
Arts and culture
- Art Gallery
- Artist in Residence
- Author Talks
- Creative Hoardings Program
- Cultural Grants
- Digital Art and Culture during COVID-19
- Library artwork commissions
- Pop Up Posters Paddington
-
Public Art
- One
- Burden
- Dancing Frog
- Double Vision, digital art screen in Double Bay
- Egg Swing
- Embark
- It Takes Two
- Lion
- Logos
- Murray Rose Pool murals
- Pelicans
- Portrait of Rex Irwin (1990)
- Red Mountain
- Refuge
- Renewal of Spirit
- Sea's Nest
- Seated Woman II
- Solitude
- Spanish Stallion
- Sun Disks
- Tidescape
- Traffic Signal Box Project
- Viewfinder
- Previous works on loan
- Reconciliation
- Tell your story - local voices
- Up the Wall Mural Project
- Walking Tours - DIY Arts and Culture
- Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
- Youth Photographic Award & Short Film Prize
- Head On Photography exhibition at Paddington Library
- What's happening
- Community engagement
- Spaces for hire
- Improve your community
- About our community
- Accessibility
About the work
Title: Portrait of Rex Irwin (1990)
Artist: Judy Cassab
Material: Oil on canvas
Location: Woollahra Council Chambers, Double Bay
Excerpt from Judy Cassab’s diary from 2 December 1990
Rex Irwin’s letter of last month: “My dear Judy, a belated note to tell you how much I enjoyed our portrait sessions. I am sure I learned at least as much about you as you did about me! Even if my knee was numb, my mind was not. I never cease to be amazed how revealing sitting for a portrait is. One feels exposed on the one hand and a collaborator on the other. I am very pleased with the result, but I am sorry I caused you so much trouble! You should have spoken to my mother first and she would have told you I was troublesome. One thing I really admire about you is your honesty and your inventive, but correct use of the English language – you shame those us to whom English is our native tongue.
I truly understand your devotion and love for Jancsi who is my idea of a truly good man. I am very proud to have been admitted to your pantheon of friends.
My love and thanks to you both
Rex”
Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Judy Cassab.