Deborah Halpern’s not for profit charitable trust contributes annually to a number of community organisations.
Deborah Halpern’s first large commissioned work was in 1987 by the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Bicentennial Authority. Halpern was commissioned to create a sculpture for the south moat of the NGV’s St Kilda Road site. With an original grant of $25,000, the sculpture, Angel, became a huge success and empowered by her success, Halpern pledged $100,000 to the Hunger Project within one year. She then took on as many commissions as possible until the money had been raised.
Below is a selected list of Commissions and Collections by Deborah Halpern. The numerous private commissions both in Australia and internationally have not been listed.
Collections & Commissions
- Aichi Arts Centre, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Art Gallery of Western Australia
- Artbank
- Australian National University, Canberra
- Australian National Gallery, Canberra
- Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
- Box Hill College of T.A.F.E. Collection
- City of Frankston
- City of Manningham
- City of Melbourne
- City of Yarra
- Council of Adult Education Collection
- Diners Club International
- Geelong Art Gallery
- Melbourne University Collection
- Metricon Homes
- National Australia Bank
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Osaka Sculpture Park
- Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park, Victoria
- Queensland Art Gallery
- Queensland University of Technology
- Shepparton Art Museum
- Shire of Nillumbik
- Southgate Collection, Melbourne
- University of New South Wales
- University of Southern Queensland
- Victorian Ceramic Group Collection
- Victorian State Craft Collection
- Visy Packaging
- Numerous Private and Corporate Commissions and Collections in Australia, USA & Internationally
2019 – 2023
“Handsome Man”, Chadstone Shopping Centre – The Fashion Capital
2019 – 2021
“Baby Bird”, Kilora Open Spaces, City of Casey
2019 – 2020
“The Four Graces”, M5 Urban Design, Cultural Capital, Sydney
2019
“Dove”, Luther College, Croydon, Victoria
2018 – 2020
“Sense of Place”, “Big Boy”, “Dingo”, “Kangaroo”, “Flying Dog”, Dunolly community project, Dunolly, Victoria
2017
“Portal to Another Time and Place”, Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park, Victoria
2014
“Queen of the Shire”, Gateway Sculpture, Shire of Nillumbik, Victoria
2013
‘Mermaid with legs’, ‘Fish’, Private commission, NSW
2012
‘Water Creature’, ‘Big Cat’, MC2, City of Manningham, Doncaster, Victoria
‘Wayfarer’, Council Offices, Shire of Nillumbik, Greensborough, Victoria
‘Mali,’ City of Melbourne, Birrarung Marr, Victoria
2010
‘The Parrot Factory’, set and costume design, Victoria Opera
2008
‘Dream Festival’, inflatable sculpture event, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Victoria
‘Portal to Another Time and Place’, Lempriere Award, Werribee Mansion, Victoria
2007
‘Beatiful Angel’, Urquart Park Primary School, Ballarat, Victoria
2006
‘Alice’, Fintona Girl’s School, Balwyn, Victoria
2002
‘Spirit of the Community’, Beauty Park, City of Frankston, Victoria
2001
‘The Spirit of Enquiry’, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
‘The Spirit of Nilumbik’, Eltham Town Square, Shire of Nilumik, Victoria
1997
‘Face Maze’, Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne, Victoria
1995
‘Family’, Highpoint Project, ceramic tiled sculpture/fountains, Victoria
1992
‘Ophelia’, Southgate Project, Melbourne
Designs for Australian Ballet international tour, promotional material
1991
‘Mermaid’, mural fountain, private commission, Melbourne
Designs for merchandise, The Gallery Shop, National Galley of Victoria (NGV)
1990
‘Double Figure’, Melbourne City Council for the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan
1989
Margaret Murphy Memorial Mural, Shepparton, Victoria 1987 – 1989
‘Angel’, Bicentennial Sculpture, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
1987
Fitzroy Nursery, iron entrance gates, Brunswick St. Fitzroy, Victoria
1986
‘Farmer’, Art Gallery of Swan Hill
1985
Numerous Private and Public Commissions in Australia & and Europe
1984
Deborah has been an Artist in Residence in many many schools over the past 30 years.

Angel
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1989

Ophelia
Southgate Project, City of Melbourne, 1992

Chest of Draws
1981

Handsome Man
Chadstone Shopping Centre
– The Fashion Capital, 2019-2023
To discuss new projects, upcoming events and media enquiries,
please contact Deborah Halpern’s team…
please contact Deborah Halpern’s team…