A 4-metre-high 3D-printed sculpture now stands in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, capturing beloved children's author Andy Griffiths in a way that celebrates the creative spirit that's made literature accessible to millions of young readers. The work, titled Andy Andy, was created by artist Ronnie van Hout and portrays how Griffiths' "inner kid" still runs riot while he's trying to be an adult.
The Artist's Vision
Griffiths and van Hout had never met before this project, but both share a love of punk music and absurdist humour. Van Hout said, "Working on this project actually made me think about our connected, shared kind of imagery and histories, and all the things that have influenced me." He added, "It makes you think about what creates you as a person."
The portrait represents more than just a physical likeness. It's a testament to creative freedom and the value of following one's authentic voice rather than conforming to traditional literary expectations. Griffiths said he realised early on that he was never going to write serious literary adult fiction. "Whenever I picked up a pen, the child inside me would go, 'Ah, great, my chance to come out' and I would write funny, weird, strange stuff," he said.
A Window Into Creative Influence
Alongside Andy Andy is Brainstorm, which gives a peek into what objects, music and books turn the cogs of Griffiths' mind. The installation offers young visitors access to alternative cultural touchstones they might not encounter otherwise. Griffiths said, "You'll see records on the wall that you never knew existed," and, "You must now pester your parents to get it for you because this is a whole world of alternative thinking and music and art that I'm delighted to share and offer to any children or adults who are open to it."
He described his writing as having "a kind of kooky frequency that if you're a reader, you just pick up on it. It's how I walk through the world." Griffiths added, "It can take you places you'll never imagine."
A Bittersweet Moment
The unveiling came just days after the death of Terry Denton, Griffiths' illustrator and creative collaborator of nearly 30 years and the artist behind the Treehouse series. Griffiths said, "We were enablers of each other." He said, "I was this young punk rocker with weird stuff that no-one would publish. And he said, 'Well, tell them I'll illustrate anything you do' because he saw in me a chance to explore that chaotic side of himself."
Griffiths added, "I don't want to be glib because I miss him a lot." He said, "But his spirit is in those books, and I'm really happy about that — that he's going to live in kids' minds for quite some time to come."
That kid Griffiths described has "a lot of time to waste and to wonder and to just enjoy the ride, rather than trying to get to the end," he said. Andy Andy and Brainstorm are on display at the National Portrait Gallery until mid 2027.
Why This Matters:
Public institutions like the National Portrait Gallery play a vital role in making diverse cultural expression accessible to all Australians, not just those who can afford private collections or exclusive exhibitions. By celebrating an author who's made reading joyful for children who might struggle with traditional literature, the gallery affirms that cultural value isn't limited to high literary forms. Griffiths' work has democratized reading for countless young people, and this portrait honors the kind of creative freedom that thrives when artists aren't forced to conform to narrow commercial or academic expectations. The timing, following Denton's death, also highlights how collaborative creative partnerships enrich our shared cultural heritage.