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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

What's on

Wednesday 4 May 2016 – Friday 4 May 2018

Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker
Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker
Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker
Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016

Exhibition closes 26 June

The National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Mysterious eyes

Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945

Exhibition opens 4 May

Boyd’s self-portrait at age 25 is joined by his equally emotive portraits of those around him.

Behind your eyes, between your ears

Brainwave interactive artwork by George Khut

Exhibition opens 29 June

As the subject changes the quality of their attention and mental focus, the portrait transforms, both appearance and sound.

Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker
Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker
Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker
Spencer 2016, by Warwick Baker

Tough & Tender

Exhibition opens 15 July

Art by Warwick Baker, Chris Burden, Larry Clark, Rozalind Drummond, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and Collier Schorr explores personal relations, individual expression and fluid identity.

Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)

Dissections

Layered portraits from the collection

Exhibition opens 19 August

This display sets two impressive portraits from the collection into direct dialogue: Sam Jinks’ sculptural self portrait and Nick Mourtzakis’ painted portrait of David Chalmers, along with related maquette and sketches.Together they explore physical and psychological manifestations of the strata of self-hood.

Billie, 2016 by Graeme Drendel
Billie, 2016 by Graeme Drendel
Billie, 2016 by Graeme Drendel
Billie, 2016 by Graeme Drendel

The Popular Pet Show

Exhibition opens 4 November

This exhibition expresses the joy and warmth that many of us derive from our animal companions, and celebrates their trusting, unpretentious ways, with portraits of Australians and their furry, feathered and fluffy friends.

Bookings available
Charles, 2015 by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, video: 7 minutes
Charles, 2015 by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, video: 7 minutes
Charles, 2015 by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, video: 7 minutes
Charles, 2015 by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, video: 7 minutes

Digital Portraiture Award 2016

Exhibition opens 2 December

An annual event to extend traditional notions of portraiture and foster emerging artists with an interest in new technology.

Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay
Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay
Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay
Richard Morecroft & Alison Mackay

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017

Exhibition opens 1 April

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Bookings available
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton

Collection in focus: Brook Andrew

Exhibition opens 8 May

Experience the artistic clout of Brook Andrew’s portraits of Marcia Langton AM and Anthony Mundine.

Copeman, gardener, Great Yarmouth by John Dempsey
Copeman, gardener, Great Yarmouth by John Dempsey
Copeman, gardener, Great Yarmouth by John Dempsey
Copeman, gardener, Great Yarmouth by John Dempsey

Dempsey's people

A folio of British street portraits 1824–1844

Exhibition opens 29 June

Dempsey’s people: a folio of British street portraits 1824–1844 is the first exhibition to showcase the compelling watercolour images of English street people made by the itinerant English painter John Dempsey throughout the first half of the nineteenth century.

Bookings available
Hugo at home (Hugo Weaving)
Hugo at home (Hugo Weaving)
Hugo at home (Hugo Weaving)
Hugo at home (Hugo Weaving)

Nicholas Harding

28 Portraits

Exhibition opens 1 September

Nicholas Harding: 28 portraits features paintings of Robert Drewe, John Bell and Hugo Weaving alongside gorgeously coloured recent oil portraits, delicate gouaches and bold ink and charcoal drawings.

Lovers And Luggers : Publicity Shot featuring Shirley Ann Richards Lloyd Hughes And Elaine Hamill (1937)
Lovers And Luggers : Publicity Shot featuring Shirley Ann Richards Lloyd Hughes And Elaine Hamill (1937)
Lovers And Luggers : Publicity Shot featuring Shirley Ann Richards Lloyd Hughes And Elaine Hamill (1937)
Lovers And Luggers : Publicity Shot featuring Shirley Ann Richards Lloyd Hughes And Elaine Hamill (1937)

Starstruck

Australian Movie Portraits

Exhibition opens 10 November

Striking, beautiful portraiture comes out of the most thoroughly documented creative process there is – filmmaking. In a ground-breaking collaboration the National Portrait Gallery and National Film and Sound Archive invite you into this captivating realm between real and fictional worlds. 

Bookings available
Selfie Factory, 2017 by Ralph Kenke and Elmar Trefz, video: 3 minutes
Selfie Factory, 2017 by Ralph Kenke and Elmar Trefz, video: 3 minutes
Selfie Factory, 2017 by Ralph Kenke and Elmar Trefz, video: 3 minutes
Selfie Factory, 2017 by Ralph Kenke and Elmar Trefz, video: 3 minutes

Digital Portraiture Award 2017

Exhibition opens 1 December

An annual event to extend traditional notions of portraiture and foster emerging artists with an interest in new technology.

Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley

Collection: Icons

Volume One

Exhibition opens 24 February

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

Exhibition opens 24 March

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Bookings available
Rosie Batty
Rosie Batty
Rosie Batty
Rosie Batty

Express Yourself

Exhibition opens 24 March

This exhibition celebrates Australians whose unique life experiences symbolise social and cultural forces. Uncompromising individuality defines them. The portraits are drawn from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection of contemporary photography and drawing.

More events

Saturday 5 May 2018 – Monday 4 May 2020
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King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency