Content
Portrait of Vice-Chancellor unveiled
University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill is not the sort of person who likes to be fussed over.
But he had to grin and bear it recently when a small crowd of 40 invited guests gathered in his honour at the University for the unveiling of his official portrait.
The painting by Blue Mountains artist Christopher McVinish is quite different from the other four portraits on display in the Chancellery.
It features Professor Hill in a sitting pose in front of a stunning Western Desert painting, Marrapinti, by Indigenous artist Naata Nungurrayi.
This artwork, which took pride of place in Professor Hill’s office when he was USC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2005 to 2010, holds special significance for the man who took over the reins of the University last year when founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas retired.
Professor Hill said on accepting the commission to do the portrait in February, Mr McVinish asked him what aspects of his life he wanted included in the painting.
“There were three things,” he said. “One was my academic background as a geographer, so I was hoping to have a map or a globe or maybe a satellite image.
“The second was my association with Indigenous Australia and the third was my vision for USC to have a broader geographical footprint.”
Professor Hill said the inclusion of the Western Desert painting from his old office was an inspired choice by Mr McVinish.
“Indigenous desert artworks are all maps, so essentially I got all three in one,” he said.
“It’s an embarrassing, self-indulgent process having your portrait painted, though. But I think the painting is great. I’m very happy with it.”
Professor Hill said he was pleased the Chancellery was widely used by University committees and for a variety of community events. This means staff and the public have opportunities to enjoy the venue and its art works, including the portraits of USC's first two Vice-Chancellors and first three Chancellors.
— Terry Walsh