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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.

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The Assumption of Virginity, 2014

by Xanthe Dobbie

Winner, Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award 2014
Single channel HD video

The Assumption of Virginity, 2014 by Xanthe Dobbie
Video: 1 minute

This portrait of pop culture replaces saintly figures of veneration from traditional religious altarpieces with somewhat less pious contemporary icons. PSY, David Beckham, Robin Thicke, and the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg support American adult-film actress Sasha Grey while the omnipotent ‘Elvis of cultural theory’ philosopher Slavoj Žižek watches over the cabal.

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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 past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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