The late Gordon Darling and the gentle art of philanthropy

Through the Gordon Darling Foundation, the Darlings undertook a vast range of activities in keeping with their vision for the arts in Australia.
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Gordon Darling handing over a portrait of Sir Donald Bradman AC to Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, in 2008. Image: National Portrait Gallery

The death of Gordon Darling AC, CMG, on August 31, 2015, at the age of 94, reminded many in the arts community of the key role that he played in fostering the visual arts in Australia.

Darling was dubbed “the patron saint of Australian printmaking” for the very generous support he gave to the print collection of the National Gallery of Australia, while the support and vision provided by him and his wife, Marilyn Darling, led to the establishment of the National Portrait Gallery.

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Sasha Grishin
About the Author
Sasha Grishin is the Sir William Dobell Professor of Art History at the Australian National University.