National Portrait Gallery

Electric!

Portraits that pop!

Celebrate the Gallery’s 20th birthday summer with Electric! Portraits that pop! The collection exhibition features a mix of bright, bold and colourful paintings, prints and photographs, and buoyant video portraits.

So Fine

This exhibition features new works from ten women artists reinterpreting and reimagining elements of Australian history, enriching the contemporary narrative around Australia’s history and biography, reflecting the tradition of storytelling in our country.

NPPP 2019 call for entries

National Photographic Portrait Prize call for entries

National Photographic Portrait Prize entries now open, closing on 22 October 2018.

Collection: Icons

Volume Two

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 20^th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

Browse the collection

Portraits of people who have influenced and contributed to the shaping of Australian society.

Support portraiture

We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building collection.

20 years of portraits

Throughout 2018 we are celebrating our 20th birthday!

Gallery to undergo renovation work in 2019

The National Portrait Gallery will undergo renovation works in 2019 to maintain the integrity of its building and the Gallery’s collection of prized artworks.

Strong and Brave

Saturday 29 September 2018
until Sunday 30 September 2018

11:00 – 11:20am; 12:15 – 12:35pm; 1:30 – 1:50pm

Inspired by So Fine, this dance performance embodies the strength and courage women have shown in Australian history. Presented by QL2 Dance.

Sir Robert May AC Kt, 1999 by Polly Borland

Portrait Play

Bright, Bold and Colourful People

Monday 1 October 2018
until Friday 12 October 2018

10:30 – 11:30am

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries, in response to Electric! Portraits that Pop!

Practising the Minuet (Miss Hilda Spong), 1893 by Tom Roberts

Little faces

Spring Series

Tuesday 2 October 2018

9:30 – 10:15am; 10:30 – 11:15am

Little children and their carer join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities in the galleries.

Little faces

Spring Series

Wednesday 3 October 2018

9:30 – 10:15am; 10:30 – 11:15am

Little children and their carer join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities in the galleries.

Story time

Wednesday 10 October 2018

10:30am – 12:00pm

Listen to the story The Dot by Peter H Reynolds and create your own visual response.

Evensong

Saturday 13 October 2018

4:00 – 4:30pm

Featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

More events

The Triumph of Death, c. 1562 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

The Black Death

by Angus Trumble, 30 August 2018

The best horror stories are real. A flea sinks its proboscis into the skin of a sick black rat, feeds on its blood, and ingests lethally multiplying bacteria.