Susan Wakil

This portrait was a collaboration between the artist Tsering Hannaford and the subject’s widow, Isaac Wakil, painted shortly after Susan Wakil passed away. Isaac wished to commemorate his much-loved wife in a portrait that celebrated his fond memories of her.

Adapted from a photograph of the couple seated at a table with a friend in a moment of sociable enjoyment, the portrait drew on other photographs of Susan for additional details, such as her distinctive jewellery. A book with the logo of architects SANAA on its cover refers to Susan and Isaac Wakil’s generous philanthropic commitment to the Sydney Modern project. The intention behind this inclusion was to bring together moments in time in a non-linear fashion to include Susan in the realisation of the couple’s extraordinary benefaction to the Gallery.