Stunning new portrait of Rosie Batty unveiled by national gallery

ROSIE Batty has struggled to fight back tears as her stunning new portrait was unveiled at Canberra’s national gallery.

DOMESTIC violence campaigner Rose Batty says a stunning new portrait shows her inner strength and sadness.

The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled a newly commissioned portrait of the 2015 Australian of the Year, taken by Scottish born photographer Nikki Toole.

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It shows Ms Batty, whose 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father in 2014, looking directly at the camera against a black backdrop, portraying a look of determination and resilience.

The portrait, on display from Thursday, is hanging alongside some of Australia’s most influential leaders and individuals, including Sir Donald Bradman, Hugo Weaving and Sir John Monash.

Rosie Batty at the unveiling of her portrait at the National Portrait Gallery on Wednesday. Picture: Kym Smith.

Ms Batty, who struggled to fight back tears at the portrait’s unveiling, said the image was like nothing she’d had taken before.

“It shows me I think in a strong manner. I think it reflect me in a way that I haven’t seen before.

“The portrait captures some part of me that lets you realise that ... there’s a sadness that probably will never go away, but through that sadness there’s an awful lot of good things.”

Rosie Batty 2017 by Nikki Toole, commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Ms Batty said she hoped her journey had helped people to think differently about women or children experiencing violence.

“I hope that I’ve been able to perhaps show some feelings around grief that also people who have loss and struggle and suffer with tragedy that there isn’t a particular way of handling something,” she said.

“If people get strength from seeing my strength, I think that’s an amazing thing I can give back.”

Gallery director Angus Trumble said Ms Batty’s portrait was an “admirable’ addition to the collection based on her outstanding contributions to society.

“Her contributions to our nation have already been immense and I am sure she will continue to be an advocate for victims of domestic violence both through the Luke Batty Foundation and as a campaigner,” he said.

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