At a function on Monday afternoon (4 July) at the Portrait Gallery, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown presented the portrait, painted by Lee Robinson and donated by Wellington City.
“Helen Kelly is a strident campaigner for social justice, rights for New Zealand workers and, more recently, medical marijuana as she fights a very public battle with cancer,” says the Mayor.
“Through all this time she’s been a passionate Wellingtonian and deserves to be recognised for the great work she’s achieved in the Capital for so many New Zealanders.
“As the Capital we’re very fortunate to have the New Zealand Portrait Gallery located here, this portrait honours Helen and her connection with Wellington,” says Mayor Wade-Brown.
Helen Kelly says: “It’s a great thrill to have a portrait hung in this beautiful gallery in my home town. My thanks to everyone that helped make this happen.”
Helen Kedgley, Acting Director of the NZ Portrait Gallery, says: “The Portrait Gallery thanks the Mayor for this generous gift donated by Wellington City. The portrait will be displayed at the Gallery for the next few weeks and then will join the permanent collection of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.”
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery is located on the Wellington Waterfront, adjacent to the intersection of Customhouse Quay and Johnstone St.