CANBERRA.- Canberran and modernist art collector Alan Boxer has generously bequeathed two works by artists Arthur Boyd and Jenny Sages to the National Portrait Gallery.

Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Mr Angus Trumble, says it is an honour and a privilege to accept the two works into the collection.

“Anyone who has been fortunate enough to receive an unexpected legacy from an old friend or relation—news of which usually arrives some considerable time after the death has occurred—will know the feeling,” Mr Trumble said.

“You are profoundly touched by the knowledge that someone wanted to remember you in their will—and, in a way, to contribute with fondness to the life that continues long after theirs has ended.

“It is no less moving for institutions than for individuals, and today we honour our fellow Canberran Alan Boxer for his thoughtfulness in having bequeathed to the National Portrait Gallery two fine works of art from his distinguished collection.”

Mr Boxer died in 2014 leaving a stunning private collection of more than 900 articles of contemporary art. Some of the collection has been sold and some of it bequeathed to public institutions. The value of the bequest is in excess of $40,000.

Arthur Boyd’s portrait of ceramic artist Carl Cooper brings to four the number of portraits by the great Australian artist in the collection. The work will be on display from March 31, 2015 at the Gallery in Canberra. Jenny Sages’ Emily Kame Kngwarreye will follow in the coming months.