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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

Thursday 4 September – Wednesday 24 September 2025

What's on

Thursday 4 September – Wednesday 24 September 2025

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Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

The National Portrait Gallery Collection

Currently on view

Browse the full list of portraits from the collection that are on view now.
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery

Art Break

12:30–1:00pm, every Thursday

Experience the joy and transformative power of slow looking. By taking your time with art, you can reconnect with the present, uncover hidden details and make personal discoveries.

Bookings required
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes

In Bloom

A collection of the beautiful, bold and botanical

Exhibition closes 19 April

Explore the beauty and symbolism of flowers in this weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that showcases more than 50 portraits from the collection, new acquisitions and selected loans.
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem

Atong Atem: The Last Women

Currently on view

Atem’s major new commission The Last Women embodies the artist’s vibrant style of staged studio portraiture.
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister

One-on-one

Exhibition closes 16 November

On show in Gallery 3, One-on-one showcases portraits of pairs from the collection from the 1800s to today.
Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities

Art cart

In Bloom

10:00am, Tue 8 Jul until Sun 28 Sep

Drop into the Gallery for free artmaking activities inspired by the exhibition In Bloom.
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One

Portraits together

For people living with dementia

10:30 – 11:30am, Second Monday of the month

We offer a free, tailor-made program for small groups of people living with dementia and their friends, families or carers.

Bookings required
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

Exhibition closes 12 October

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.

Bookings available
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition

Guided tour

In Bloom: A collection of the beautiful, bold and botanical

1:00pm, Mon 18 Aug until Sun 30 Nov

Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours are conversational, friendly and informative.

Bookings available
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake

Virtual Highlight Tour

Curator Intro: NPPP2025

12:30pm, Tue 9 Sep
Live online

Join exhibition curator Rebecca Blake for an introduction to National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025, as she explores the key themes, ideas and preparation process behind the exhibition.

Bookings required
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu

Virtual Highlight Tour

Portrait Tok Stori

12:30pm, Tue 16 Sep
Live online

Join retired Pacific Collections Librarian, Deveni Temu, for an insightful exploration of Elizabeth Durack’s remarkable artworks created during her 1968 visit to PNG.

Bookings required
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 17 Sep

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 18 Sep

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 19 Sep

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Sun 21 Sep

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

More events

Thursday 25 September – Wednesday 15 October 2025

Related information

The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The Gallery

Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
The National Portrait Gallery building at night
The National Portrait Gallery building at night
The National Portrait Gallery building at night
The National Portrait Gallery building at night

Support your Portrait Gallery

We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
Visiting the Gallery
Visiting the Gallery
Visiting the Gallery
Visiting the Gallery

Plan your visit

Information on location, accessibility and amenities.
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© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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