Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest woman, has reportedly launched a campaign to pressure the National Gallery of Australia into removing a portrait of her drafted by the award-winning aboriginal artist Vincent Namatjira.
Rinehart reportedly appealed to the gallery herself, demanding the artwork be removed because of its “unflattering” depiction of her.
Despite donating up to $10,000 to the gallery, located in Australia’s capital of Canberra, Rinehart had her efforts rebuffed by gallerists. She then embarked on a campaign to have those in her orbit pester the gallery with the same demand, which included dispatching associates at Hancock Prospecting and professional athletes sponsored by Hancock, The Sydney Morning-Herald reported.
