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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

Friday 27 September 2024 – Saturday 27 September 2025

Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree

New acquisitions

In Gallery Two

Open every day

A collection display that showcases some recent major acquisitions including Nell and Julie Rrap.

An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)

This is my place

In Gallery Four

Open every day

We all have places where we feel at ease, a sense of belonging, of ownership, of relaxation, of self. Given the opportunity, portraitists love to place their sitters in an environment where they are most at home.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait: Myself and I

In Gallery Five

Open every day

Encompassing works created over the past 80 years, this selection of portraits from the Gallery’s collection celebrates inventiveness and diversity in approaches to self portraiture.

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Frocked up

In Gallery Six

Open every day

The selection of works in Frocked up richly demonstrates the interconnectedness of costume and portraiture – and the many ways in which artists have employed the representation of dress to powerful, insightful effect.

Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley

Ryan Presley: Paradise won

On view until May 2025

Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley's site-specific commission Paradise won is prominently positioned at the Gallery’s entrance. This ambitious new work invites conversations about the ongoing legacies of colonisation and celebrates First Nations survival and autonomy.

Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket), 2023 Bahman Kermany
Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket), 2023 Bahman Kermany
Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket), 2023 Bahman Kermany
Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket), 2023 Bahman Kermany

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition closes 13 October

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Bookings available
Fragility, 2024 Naomi Hobson
Fragility, 2024 Naomi Hobson
Fragility, 2024 Naomi Hobson
Fragility, 2024 Naomi Hobson

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition closes 13 October

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 celebrates established and emerging artistic talent from across the country.

Bookings available
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

The Prizes Highlights Tour

11:15am, Wed 26 Jun until Thu 31 Oct

Join us on a 30-minute tour of this year's Darling Portrait Prize and National Photographic Portrait Prize to explore the links between portraiture and identity through diverse representations of Australians and Australian life.

Bookings available

More events

Sunday 28 September 2025 – Monday 28 September 2026
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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