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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.

The God-shaped hole

Exploring the photographs of Martin Schoeller, Michael Desmond delves into the uneasy pact that exists between celebrity and the camera.

More information on The God-shaped hole

Selected images

7 images
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Martin Schoeller 2008
Martin Schoeller 2008
Judi Dench 2007
Judi Dench 2007
Paris Hilton 2007
Paris Hilton 2007
Jack Nicholson 2002
Jack Nicholson 2002
Barack Obama 2004
Barack Obama 2004
Meryl Streep 2006
Meryl Streep 2006
Iggy Pop 2006
Iggy Pop 2006
7 images
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Related information

Cate Blanchett, 2006 by Martin Schoeller
Cate Blanchett, 2006 by Martin Schoeller
Cate Blanchett, 2006 by Martin Schoeller
Cate Blanchett, 2006 by Martin Schoeller

Martin Schoeller

Close up

Previous exhibition, 2010

German-born American photographer Martin Schoeller's first exhibition in Australia presents compelling large-scale portraits. The exhibition explores human identity through photographs of individuals accustomed and unaccustomed to the spotlight.
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

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© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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.

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