General News
31 October, 2025
Can you identify these three famous Australians?
AN intriguing painting of three well-known Australians is now on display at the Warrnambool Library – enticing visitors to guess who they are.
The brainchild of Sydney artist Martin Shaw, ‘Three Well Known Australians’ has been touring Australia since 1983.
A yearbook, which accompanies the painting throughout the tour, invites people to submit their ideas on who they believe the three images represent.
Since its inception, the painting has visited more than 260 venues across the country, with both the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier offering their thoughts on the piece.
“I won’t reveal the answer but what I can say is that the black and white dog sitting in the corner is ‘Pea’ who sadly died in May 1991,” Martin said.
“All the clues are in the painting.
“The increasing number of cultural institutions and art galleries built since the 1970s has made it possible for the ‘Three Australians’ to tour continuously around Australia since 1983.
“When the painting returns to the same venue, the public will look back at their previous comments in the yearbooks and be puzzled and surprised at their previous opinions; abit older, a bit smarter but not necessarily wiser.”
Martin believes people will see something differently in the painting on each visit – and see newer ideas and opinions recorded in the yearbooks.
The painting is currently on display in the Warrnambool Library where it will remain until this Sunday, November 2.
Don’t miss your chance to call in to the library and write down your thoughts on who you think these three figures are.
