FRANKSTON Library will be displaying Martin Shaw’s famous Three Well-Known Australians until 19 April.
The artwork has toured Australia since 1983 garnering opinions and guesses as to the identify of the mystery figures.
Viewers of the painting are encouraged to record their guess as to the identity of the figures, and the accumulated guesses tour around with the display as a living testament to Australia.
“The painting goes to big cities, provincial towns, and small villages. It’s like the torch relay in the Olympic games,” said Shaw.
“Your opinions form the portrait of Australia in the pages; that’s what you’re leaving behind.”
Prime Minister Albanese hedged his bets with his guess, putting three different guesses of the three pictured characters.
His first guess was that the painting depicted the seminal moment in Australian broadcasting history when colour television was introduced, with ABC stars Aunty Jack (Grahame Bond) in blue, Thin Arthur (Rory Donoghue) seated and Kid Eager (Garry McDonald) standing, with the umbrella representing the black and white world we had been sheltering under.
Albanese’s second guess was the trio were the Go-Betweens after they finished recording Before Hollywood.
His final guess was Vincent Lingiari in the centre and Gough Whitlam on the right. The blue figure is the famous photographer Mervyn Bishop, who took the famous photo of Gough Whitlam pouring red earth into Lingiari’s hand.
Premier Jacinta Allen guessed the trio were basketballer Lauren Jackson in Blue, Uncle Jack Charles sitting talking, and Julia Gillard in Green.
Bruce Gyngell, the first person to appear on Australian television in 1956, guessed in 1999 that the blue figure was Don Bradman, the middle figure was Joan Sutherland, and the green figure was Kerry Packer.
Others looked at the artwork and saw something broader such as political parties, utility companies or specific emotions.
“Who knows why some names endure the test of time while some people don’t,” said Shaw.
“It is up to the individual how they want to take it.”
The painting has now been touring for generations, with no plans to slow down.
“I haven’t done another painting in 30-odd years,” said Shaw.
“This has just overtaken everything else. I just can’t think of anything, this is just full on.”
Shaw has never let on who the three painted figures are. The closest you’ll get to an unveiling of the identities is the dog in the bottom right corner, Shaw’s trusty companion Pea, who died in 1991.
Three Well-Known Australian will be at the Frankston Library Heritage Room until 19 April.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 April 2026
