A large-scale portrait of beloved television presenter and environmental educator Costa Georgiadis was officially unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra on Saturday. The host of ABC's popular "Gardening Australia" program was selected by the Australian public from a shortlist of 25 remarkable Australians to be featured in the gallery's prestigious collection. This marks the first time in the gallery's history that ordinary Australians have been able to participate directly in the commissioning process for new portraits.
The competition was fierce, with Georgiadis beating out notable figures including the internationally famous children's music group The Wiggles, popular television presenter Tony Armstrong, and acclaimed actress Miranda Tapsell. The public was asked to identify a person they felt was missing from the gallery's collection, leading to Georgiadis's selection based on his widespread appeal and cultural significance.
Created by Victorian-based artist Rob McHaffie, the vibrant painting depicts the charismatic television presenter surrounded by an abundance of trees, insects, and animals that reflect his deep connection to the natural world. The artwork incorporates several meaningful botanical elements, including Queensland bottle trees, native banksias, and distinctive kangaroo paws. An olive tree was specifically included as a tribute to Georgiadis's Greek heritage, while a Peron's tree frog from his own garden pond adds a personal touch to the composition.
According to the National Portrait Gallery, Georgiadis was chosen for his infectious enthusiasm, unwavering positivity, passionate advocacy for the natural environment, and his remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages. His long-standing commitment to environmental causes and sustainability education were qualities that voters repeatedly highlighted when making their selection.
"Making art is similar to creating a garden, in that it requires research, planning, creativity and lots of time and patience," Georgiadis said during the unveiling ceremony. "I'm thrilled to be given this honor, and am humbled that the public voted for me." The presenter admitted he was still processing the surreal experience of being contacted by the gallery and having his portrait permanently displayed in such a prestigious institution.
Georgiadis reflected on his initial reaction to the gallery's approach, saying, "It's a bit surreal, like, I'm going into the National Portrait Gallery. That was an incredible reality to get my head around. But when I met Rob, the artist, I just knew it was in good hands." His confidence in McHaffie's abilities proved well-founded as the artist brought both technical skill and personal connection to the project.
For McHaffie, the commission held special personal meaning as someone who grew up watching "Gardening Australia" with his father every Friday night. He described having Georgiadis in his backyard and "sharing lengthy conversations about life" as an incredible experience. "I asked Costa a lot of questions about his life, and his loves, and his passions," the artist explained. "In personal things he was a complete open book. Very reflective, very philosophical."
The artist expressed his hopes for how viewers would respond to the finished work, stating, "I hope the painting captures the joy and spirit of a man who truly inspires the whole country to get grubby gardening and rewilding." McHaffie's detailed approach to incorporating elements from Georgiadis's personal garden and cultural background demonstrates the depth of research and care that went into the portrait's creation.
Gallery Director Bree Pickering praised the portrait as a joyful representation of Georgiadis's life story and environmental advocacy work. "Costa is a beloved Australian who is a leading voice in environmental sustainability," Pickering said. "He has dedicated his life to sharing the joy of gardening with generations of Australians." She emphasized how the portrait reflects both the subject's personality and his broader cultural impact.
Pickering further noted that "Rob's portrait captures Costa's generosity and celebrates his connection with nature through layers of delicately rendered flora, fauna and landscape." She highlighted how the artwork serves a broader purpose beyond mere representation, explaining that "this portrait encourages close looking and invites us to celebrate and deepen our relationship with the natural world." The unveiling represents not just an artistic achievement but also a celebration of environmental consciousness and the important role that popular media figures can play in promoting sustainability and nature appreciation.
