By Rachel Olding
A NEWSPAPER image marking the appointment of Julia Gillard is attracting almost as much attention as the new Prime Minister herself.
The Andy Warhol-inspired front page and poster of the Illawarra Mercury from June 25 has assumed cult status online and in art circles for its risky and sassy portrayal of Australia's two most famous redheads.
The original Redhead... Georgia Nissen. Artwork: Leanne Shedlezki Credit: Nicole Emanuel
''It's a great take on the event and a great use of a pop-art icon,'' said renowned Melbourne pop artist Dennis Ropar, who has used Miss Redhead in his artworks.
''Julia is a colourful figure, and possibly will become an iconic redhead in the often-grey political landscape.''
The concept came from the Fairfax Media newspaper's chief photographer Kirk Gilmour and was brought to life by art director Gaye Burrows and illustrator Rob Coombs.
Illawarra Mercury editor Stuart Howie said the paper had a tradition of ''doing something different and making a statement. It will be a page one to remember''.
Marketing website Mumbrella was suitably impressed. ''Graphic and marketing genius,'' reads one comment.
Media commentator Mark Day said it was ''so simple, so obvious and so, ahem, striking''.
Redheads matches has also enjoyed the incidental publicity.
''We wouldn't rule out a special famous redheads range,'' said Donna Wilson, brand manager of Swedish Match, the company that owns Redheads Matches. ''It's certainly raised the profile of the brand without us having to do anything, so thanks, Julia.''
Georgia Nissen, the Redheads model in the late '60s, was surprised at the constant use of the image. Now a grandmother of five and living in Melbourne, she told The Sun-Herald she preferred to keep a low profile these days.