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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Doosie Morris

‘He’s much more cheery than that’: a son’s self-portrait, painted in secret

Ben Quilty
Kylie Needham and her 17-year-old son Joe Quilty with a self-portrait that he painted when he was 12 years old.
Kylie Needham and her 17-year-old son Joe Quilty with a self-portrait that he painted when he was 12 years old. Photograph: Anna Warr/The Guardian

Five years ago, author Kylie Needham was given a surprise birthday present by her then 12-year-old son Joe. The oil on canvas self-portrait had been created in secret in her husband’s studio.

“I was so proud of it, but I could see he was really proud of himself too,” says Needham.

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