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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.

Lust for life

Celebrated Sydney-based photographer and performer William Yang was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to produce a new performance work that premiered at the opening of the Gallery's new building.

More information on Lust for life

Selected images

14 images
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William Yang The gang, 1977
William Yang The gang, 1977
William Yang Linda Jackson, Peter Tully and Jenny Kee at the opening of the National Gallery of Australia, 1982
William Yang Linda Jackson, Peter Tully and Jenny Kee at the opening of the National Gallery of Australia, 1982
William Yang Peter Tully assembled his slaves at the Mardi Gras and they pulled a giant statue of Edna Everage, 1982
William Yang Peter Tully assembled his slaves at the Mardi Gras and they pulled a giant statue of Edna Everage, 1982
William Yang William Yang with light meter at John Fink's 21st birthday, late 80s
William Yang William Yang with light
meter at John Fink's
21st birthday, late 80s
William Yang Flamingo Park, Jenny Kee and celebrity model Kate Fitzpatrick, 1975
William Yang Flamingo Park, Jenny Kee and celebrity model Kate Fitzpatrick, 1975
William Yang Patrick White and Jim Sharman at a lunch at Jim's. Bondi, 1978
William Yang Patrick White and Jim Sharman at a lunch at Jim's. Bondi, 1978
William Yang Brett Whiteley dancing with Arna Marie Winchester at a party in his studio in Raper Street, 1985
William Yang Brett Whiteley dancing with Arna Marie Winchester at a party in his studio in Raper Street, 1985
William Yang Martin Sharp, with part of his collection of toys named the Dream Museum. Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Martin Sharp, with part of his collection of toys named the Dream Museum. Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Martin Sharp. When Luna Park closed the Friends of Luna Park salvaged some of the artifacts from the park and stored them at Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Martin Sharp. When Luna Park closed the Friends of Luna Park salvaged some of the artifacts from the park and stored them at Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Martin Sharp and Tiny Tim, about whom Martin was making a film. Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Martin Sharp and Tiny Tim, about whom Martin was making a film. Wirian, early 80s
William Yang Brett Whiteley at the launch of David Marr's biography of Patrick White, 1990
William Yang Brett Whiteley at the launch of David Marr's biography of Patrick White, 1990
William Yang Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris at their home in Martin Road, 1985
William Yang Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris at their home in Martin Road, 1985
William Yang William Yang's birthday dinner, Surry Hills, 1981
William Yang William Yang's birthday dinner, Surry Hills, 1981
William Yang Peter Tully at the Gay Mardi Gras March in 1981
William Yang Peter Tully at the Gay Mardi Gras March in 1981
14 images
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Related information

William Yang
William Yang
William Yang
William Yang

William Yang

'Feeling comfortable as a human being'

Portrait story

William Yang on his heritage and becoming a photographer in the 70s.

Patrick White by William Yang

Portrait story

An interview with photographer William Yang who recalls his encounters with the author Patrick White.
by William Yang Self Portrait #1, 1992
by William Yang Self Portrait #1, 1992
by William Yang Self Portrait #1, 1992
by William Yang Self Portrait #1, 1992

William Yang

Australian Chinese

Previous exhibition, 2001

William Yang's art is about the telling of stories, his work is an intriguing mixture of philosophy, autobiography, social history and documentary imbued with a sense of the artist's own curiosity, humanity and humour
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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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