Guess who: Frankston Library information librarian Amanda Wittmer with the Three Well Known Australians artwork that tours around Australia. Picture: Gary Sissons
Guess who: Frankston Library information librarian Amanda Wittmer with the Three Well Known Australians artwork that tours around Australia. Picture: Gary Sissons

A PAINTING that has intrigued thousands of people across the nation for more than 30 years is coming to Frankston.

The timeless artwork, Three Well Known Australians, by artist Martin Shaw, has been keeping the public guessing since its journey started in 1983.

So far it has been exhibited at 186 venues, and Mr Shaw said there are plans to keep the tour going for many years to come.

Part of the mystique surrounding the painting is the mystery of just who the subjects are, but while the clues are in the painting Mr Shaw is giving nothing away.

Exhibition-goers are asked to write their guesses in a yearbook, which organisers say forms a type of “social commentary” of Australia and reveals the trends and values of the communities it visits.

The abstract painting previously toured Melbourne in 1986, 1996 and 2006, and won’t be back until 2026.

There are 100 letters on display with the exhibition containing opinions on the identity of the “three Australians” from other well-known Australians such as former prime minister Tony Abbott.

Reading the guesses is both entertaining and revealing.

The painting will be on display at Frankston Library from until 28 September.

First published in the Frankston Times – 19 September 2016

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