A photographic portrait of the Australian Ballet chief, inspired by Matisse’s Dance, was unveiled in Canberra today.

A newly commissioned portrait of Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister was unveiled this morning at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. The photographic print by Adelaide-born, Sydney-based photographer Peter Brew-Bevan will join the Gallery’s national collection.

^{The Dance – David McAllister 2016 by Peter Brew-Bevan (b.1969). Inkjet print. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra}

A former dancer with the Australian Ballet, McAllister has been Artistic Director of the Company since 2001. “Having been to the Gallery so many times and been inspired by the extraordinary Australians who inhabit the walls of the National Portrait Gallery, I feel incredibly honoured and privileged to be there among them in such a beautiful portrait by the extraordinary artist Peter Brew-Bevan,” said McAllister.

Brew-Bevan is known for his creative style of photographic portraiture. Drawing on a fine art background, his images have a painterly quality. Over the years, he has produced an impressive portfolio of portraits of prominent Australian actors, sports people, celebrities and fashion designers. His subjects have included Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Katie Noonan, Bob Hawke,...