Leah Purcell AM (b. 1970) is an acclaimed playwright, actor, director, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and author and a proud Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Murgon, Queensland. Purcell is recognised as an important voice in the performing arts, advocating for First Nations women and children. Her 2001 documentary Black Chicks Talking featured interviews with nine First Nations women and was adapted for a book and stage show. Purcell has appeared in films including Lantana, Jindabyne, The Proposition and The Last Cab to Darwin and in television series such as Wentworth, Redfern Now, High Country and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. In 2022 Purcell directed her first feature film The Drover’s Wife, based on her award-winning play and novel.
This portrait, from Penny Tweedie’s larger series Standing Strong, alludes to Purcell’s first play Box the Pony. Inspired by her mother and grandmother’s life story, her one-woman show was performed at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre and the Sydney Opera House in 1997, the 1999 Edinburgh Festival and in 2000 at the Barbican in London.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004
© Estate of Penny Tweedie
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.
