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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.

'Red Terra' - Black Activist: A portrait of Gary Foley, 2006

by Rod McNicol

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2007 Finalist

'Red Terra' - Black Activist: A portrait of Gary Foley, 2006

From the very beginning of my photographic career, when I studied photography at Prahran College (Melbourne) in the 1970s, portraiture has been the central focus of my work. I have always been drawn to portraiture that is very direct, and this portrait of Gary Foley is no exception. Historically, however, my sitters for the most part have been anonymous, so in this respect this portrait is an exception as Gary does have a high profile. Along with my characteristic direct gaze, I have sought to make strong use of colour in this particular work. The term Red Terra in the title was, by happy coincidence, the brand name for the colour I chose to use for background.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2007
(More information, View all 75 photos)

Water as Life: The Town of Wilcannia and the Darling/Baaka
The boys
Lucy
Unconditional Love

Other NPPP photos from Rod McNicol
(More information)

Barry Jones AC, 2021 Rod McNicol
2022 Finalist
Tracey, 2018 by Rod McNicol
2019 Finalist
Self-portrait, 2015 by Rod McNicol
2016 Finalist
My friend Siu’s dear mother, Mrs Chan, 2014 by Rod McNicol
2015 Finalist

Related information

Rod McNicol and Jack Charles
Rod McNicol and Jack Charles
Rod McNicol and Jack Charles
Rod McNicol and Jack Charles

Rod McNicol and Jack Charles

'We're village elders on Smith Street'

Portrait story

Rod and Jack on the series of portraits they created together.

Rod McNicol

'Life and Times'

Portrait story

Echoing 19th-century photography, Rod McNicol's portraits give us a chance to look quietly at the human condition.
Tariro, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Tariro, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Tariro, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Tariro, 2010 by Rod McNicol

Village people

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2015

Christopher Chapman discusses Rod McNicol's photographic portrait series Newcomers to my village.
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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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