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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

Saturday 1 April 2023 – Sunday 31 March 2024

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

The work of art

In Galleries Eight and Nine

Exhibition closes 23 May

It takes a village to raise a creative! Get an insight into the often-unseen work and supporters needed for the arts to thrive. The work of art documents the creative process, evoke states of creativity and inspiration, and shows us clues about the subject’s own work from the way artists portray them.

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

At ease

In Gallery One

Exhibition closes 3 December

Enjoy, sit back, and relax with some of our favourites from the Gallery’s collection, where they find themselves expertly – and comfortably – captured by their artists.

Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo

Portrait23: Identity

Exhibition closes 18 June

Portraiture. Not as you know it. We invite you to stretch, push, resist and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

Collection Highlights Tour

2:15pm, Daily

Join us in the Gallery for this free 30-minute tour of the collection, exploring portrait stories and the history of the building.

Bookings optional
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition closes 21 May

Little Darlings is for primary and secondary students, with four separate categories across Kindergarten to Year 12. Responding to the theme ‘identity’, students painted, drew, photographed, printed or combined all of these to make their portrait.

Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard

The Iconoclasts

In Gallery Three

Exhibition open every day

Australian portraiture of the mid-twentieth century was rich with the influence of European modernism, exemplified by the work of artists including Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Clifton Pugh.

Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley

The Cosmopolitans

In Gallery Two

Exhibition opens 1 April

Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker

Gulgawarnigu

Thinking of something, someone

Exhibition opens 3 June

In partnership with Big hART we are proud to present Gulgawarnigu - Thinking of something, someone, a national presentation of digital artworks created from Ngarluma country leramagadu (Roebourne), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition opens 17 June

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
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

Exhibition opens 11 July

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

Exhibition opens 14 July

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

Exhibition opens 19 July

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.

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu
James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu
James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu
James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu

Time and light

In Gallery Seven

Exhibition opens 21 July

This sample of 56 photographs takes in some of the smallest photographs we own and some of the largest, some of the earliest and some of the most recent, as well as multiple photographic processes from daguerreotypes to digital media.

Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939

Archie 100

A Century of the Archibald Prize

Exhibition opens 20 October

This major exhibition celebrates 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of our nation.

Bookings available
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939

Archie 100 Highlights Tour

11:00am, 2:00pm, Daily from Mon 23 Oct until Sun 28 Jan

Join us for a 45-minute tour of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize. Hear more about the history of the century-old prize and uncover the stories of some famous faces and local heroes.

Bookings available
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 26 Oct
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 2 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 16 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

10:30am, Wed 22 Nov

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
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Thu 23 Nov

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
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 23 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

10:30am, Fri 24 Nov

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
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman

Virtual Highlight Tour

Friendship

12:30pm, Tue 28 Nov
Live online

Grab your BFF and hang out with us as we take a look at artworks exploring friendship.

Bookings required
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Audio-described tour

1:00pm, Fri 1 Dec

Join us as we explore the collection and discover artworks with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Bookings required
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Presented by Rhythm Syndicate

1:30pm, Sun 3 Dec

Join local jazz vocal group Rhythm Syndicate in the Gallery as they take you on a musical journey to get you in the mood for the festive season.

Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross

Namatjira Project

Screening

2:30pm, Sun 3 Dec

Join us for a screening of Namatjira Project, which tells the story of the Namatjira family and their quest to regain copyright to Albert Namatjira’s iconic artwork.

Bookings required
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022

Virtual Highlight Tour

Surprise me!

12:30pm, Tue 5 Dec
Live online

Join three of our Access and Learning team for a lively portrait discussion where they’ve chosen an artwork to surprise each other.

Bookings required
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe

December Spotlight Series

10:15am, Wed 6 Dec

For our final Spotlight of the year, we welcome Callum Tolhurst-Close, Manager, Foundation & Private Giving, who will be looking at the portrait of Peter Sculthorpe by Eric Smith.

Bookings required
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO

In Conversation

Maggie Beer AO and Del Kathryn Barton

2:00pm, 2:45pm, Thu 7 Dec
Onsite and live online

Join us with Maggie Beer AO, cook restaurateur and businesswoman and Del Kathryn Barton, artist, in celebration of the National Portrait Gallery's most recent commissioned portrait, Maggie, 2023 by Del Kathryn Barton.

Bookings required
Family Space
Family Space
Family Space
Family Space

Art Play Space

10:00am, Daily from Thu 21 Dec until Tue 30 Jan

Drop in to the family space these school holidays for free creative activities to enjoy together.

Portrait Play
Portrait Play
Portrait Play
Portrait Play

Portrait Play

Design Corner

10:30am, Tue 2 Jan until Thu 25 Jan

Calling all curious, enquiring minds! Come and join us this school holidays as we investigate portraits in our collection through the lens of design.

Bookings required
Story time
Story time
Story time
Story time

Story Time

Father Sky Mother Earth

10:30am, Thu 4 Jan

For our Summer Story Time, we’re celebrating the beautiful world around us with the book Father Sky Mother Earth, written and illustrated by First Nations author and poet, Oodgeroo Noonuccal.

Bookings required
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom

Penguin Bloom

Screening

1:00pm, Sat 6 Jan

Join us for a screening of Penguin Bloom, a heartwarming film, that tells the story of a family who take in an injured magpie that makes a profound difference in their lives.

Bookings required
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett

Drawn in

Lynden Bassett

1:00pm, Sun 7 Jan

Draw while listening to live music by Indonesian composer and performer, Lynden Bassett.

Story time
Story time
Story time
Story time

Story Time

Father Sky Mother Earth

10:30am, 1:30pm, Wed 17 Jan

For our Summer Story Time, we’re celebrating the beautiful world around us with the book Father Sky Mother Earth, written and illustrated by First Nations author and poet, Oodgeroo Noonuccal.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 17 Jan until Fri 19 Jan

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little Faces

9:30am, Fri 19 Jan

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Family activities
Family activities
Family activities
Family activities

Archie 100: The Final Countdown

10:00am, Fri 19 Jan until Sun 21 Jan

Join us as we celebrate the final days of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize at the National Portrait Gallery! We've got three fun-filled days of activities, workshops, talks and tours planned for visitors of all ages.

Water Play
Water Play
Water Play
Water Play

Water Play

Fri 19 – Sun 21 Jan

Cool down and let your creativity flow with a splash of water play in our Western Courtyard!

100 Faces Project
100 Faces Project
100 Faces Project
100 Faces Project

100 Faces Project

Fri 19 – Sun 21 Jan

Feeling inspired by Archie 100? Want to see your face on the walls? Drop in and create a portrait for our 100 Faces Project!

Animal Charms
Animal Charms
Animal Charms
Animal Charms

Children’s workshop: Lucky Animal Charms

Kate Beynon

1:00pm, Fri 19 Jan

In this workshop, you’ll have the chance to create your own lucky charms. Will you choose a Lucky Cat Spirit or perhaps a Laughing Lotus Monkey?

Bookings required
Supernatural Fam Faces
Supernatural Fam Faces
Supernatural Fam Faces
Supernatural Fam Faces

Teen+ workshop: Supernatural Fam Faces

Kate Beynon

11:00am, Sat 20 Jan

Inspired by her work Self-portrait with Guardian Spirits, Kate will share some of her Archie insights and guide participants through a fantastic family and fur-family painting workshop.

Bookings required
Looking at art in the Gallery
Looking at art in the Gallery
Looking at art in the Gallery
Looking at art in the Gallery

Relaxed mornings

9:00am, Sun 21 Jan

Explore the main collection and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize before our usual opening hours.

'A true Territorian': Portrait of Grandma Lum Loy, 1979 Geoff La Gerche
'A true Territorian': Portrait of Grandma Lum Loy, 1979 Geoff La Gerche
'A true Territorian': Portrait of Grandma Lum Loy, 1979 Geoff La Gerche
'A true Territorian': Portrait of Grandma Lum Loy, 1979 Geoff La Gerche

Auslan interpreted tour

Archie 100

11:00am, Sun 21 Jan

We invite you to join a 45-minute tour of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize with Auslan interpretation.

Bookings required
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald

Finding the Archibald

Screening

12:00pm, Sun 21 Jan

Over three episodes, follow Rachael Griffiths as she embarks on a journey through 100 years of the Archibald Prize.

Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall

Drawn in

As Famous As The Moon

1:00pm, Sun 21 Jan

Draw while listening to live music by As Famous as the Moon, performing a mix of jazzy tunes.

Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the
Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the
Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the
Mr and Mrs Horace Keats in the

Audio-described tour

Archie 100

1:00pm, Sun 21 Jan

Join us to explore Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Bookings required
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom

Penguin Bloom

Screening

1:00pm, Mon 22 Jan

Join us for a screening of Penguin Bloom, a heartwarming film, that tells the story of a family who take in an injured magpie that makes a profound difference in their lives.

Bookings required
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald
Finding the Archibald

Finding the Archibald

Screening

12:00pm, Fri 26 Jan until Sun 28 Jan

Over three episodes, follow Rachael Griffiths as she embarks on a journey through 100 years of the Archibald Prize.

Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli

Virtual Highlight Tour

Oh George

12:30pm, Tue 6 Feb
Live online

Join our Senior Curator Joanna Gilmour as she explores the life of celebrated portraitist George Lambert. You’ll be glad(ioli) you did.

Bookings required
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister

Virtual Highlight Tour

All the Lovers

12:30pm, Tue 13 Feb
Live online

Join us to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit! Maybe you’ll find a new love while exploring the portraits of some of Australia’s favourite power couples.

Bookings required
Susan Lord
Susan Lord
Susan Lord
Susan Lord

Virtual Highlight Tour

Styling Australia

12:30pm, Tue 20 Feb
Live online

From notions of propriety to celebrating our flora and fauna, join us as we look at what it means to get all frocked up in Australia.

Bookings required
Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History
Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History
Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History
Michelle de Kretser, Geography & History

Virtual Highlight Tour

Wonderful Wordsmiths

12:30pm, Tue 27 Feb
Live online

What do artists reveal or conceal about wonderful wordsmiths? This week we’re looking at the talented writers in our collection.

Bookings required
HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 2006 Ralph Heimans AM
HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 2006 Ralph Heimans AM
HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 2006 Ralph Heimans AM
HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 2006 Ralph Heimans AM

Ralph Heimans

Portraiture. Power. Influence.

Exhibition opens 15 March

The exhibition will feature some of the most significant portraits in the artist’s career to date, from early major works such as his painting of HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark through to his most recent.

More events

Monday 1 April 2024 – Tuesday 1 April 2025
© National Portrait Gallery 2023
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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