Current Exhibitions

Collection Display

The collection display includes over 450 portraits that tell extraordinary stories of encounter, exploration, independence, individuality and achievement in Australia. Visitors to the Gallery can follow the development of portraiture from oil painting to digital media. Image: Nam Le 2010 (detail) by Rozalind Drummond

Present Tense: An imagined grammar of portraiture in the digital age
22 May 2010 - 22 August 2010

Technology has been a major influence on art since the invention of the camera, particularly in the field of portraiture. The digital revolution of the 1980s-1990s has altered how portraits are made and what a portrait might be. This exhibition will explore how new ways of imaging reflect the individual in this digital world and the mechanisms of imaging that are used. Click the image for further information

National Youth Self Portrait Prize 2010
22 July 2010 - 12 September 2010

An annual event, the National Youth Self Portrait Prize seeks to encourage young people to embrace self portraiture and its expressive possibilities. Sponsored by ADFAS and the Tallis Foundation, a $10000 prize is offered for the most outstanding self portrait. Click on the image for further information

Coming Soon

Headspace 10 Self/reflections
9 September - 7 November 2010

Headspace 10: Self/reflections is a national, secondary school art exhibition inviting students and art educators from all states and territories to explore the Headspace 10 theme, Self/reflections, through portraiture. Headspace 10 celebrates a decade of the Headspace project at the National Portrait Gallery. Further information is available in the Education section on this website.

Curatorial
Michael Desmond
Senior Curator

Ph (+61 2) 6102 7035
Fax (+61 2) 6102 7001