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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.

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia

This exhibition focuses on exploring national and communal identity through sculptural production in Australia, from the early decades of settlement through to the present day

More information on Presence and Absence

Selected images

12 images
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by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937) Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925
by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937) Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925
by James White (1862-1918) Conamdatta, a North(ern) Queensland Aboriginal man, 1897
by James White (1862-1918) Conamdatta, a North(ern) Queensland Aboriginal man, 1897
by Emile Leysalle (1847- after 1902) Portrait bust of Mrs Gerald Marr Thompson, 1892
by Emile Leysalle (1847- after 1902) Portrait bust of Mrs Gerald Marr Thompson, 1892
by Arthur Murch (1902-1989) Desirée Quigg, c.1925-26 (cast 1990)
by Arthur Murch (1902-1989) Desirée Quigg, c.1925-26 (cast 1990)
by Margel Hinder (1906-1995) Portrait head. Enid, 1937-38
by Margel Hinder (1906-1995) Portrait head. Enid, 1937-38
by Charles Abraham (1816-1885) Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail)
by Charles Abraham (1816-1885) Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail)
by Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931) Lady Diana Duff Cooper, c.1909-1919
by Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931) Lady Diana Duff Cooper, c.1909-1919
by Francis Derwent Wood (British) (1871-1926) Tom Roberts, 1910
by Francis Derwent Wood (British) (1871-1926) Tom Roberts, 1910
by Daphne Mayo (1895-1982) A young Australian, 1930
by Daphne Mayo (1895-1982) A young Australian, 1930
by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937) Mary Gilmore, 1934
by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937) Mary Gilmore, 1934
by Allen Hutchinson (wking 1880s-90s) Sir Alfred Stephen, 1898 (detail)
by Allen Hutchinson (wking 1880s-90s) Sir Alfred Stephen, 1898 (detail)
by Mildred Lovett (1880-1955) Child’s head, 1912
by Mildred Lovett (1880-1955) Child’s head, 1912
12 images
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King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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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.

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.

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