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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.

Face the Music

Australia has become recognised for the range and talent of its musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities in general associated with the music industry

More information on Face the Music

Selected images

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Paul Kelly, 2004 Jon Campbell. © Jon Campbell

Natalie Imbruglia, 1999 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland

Sherbet, 1974 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC

Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley. © Estate of Howard Arkley. Licensed by Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art.

Michael Hutchence, 1997 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland

Waiting for Zipporah (Christine Anu), 2002 Elizabeth Barden. © Elizabeth Barden

Don Burrows at work, 1998 Barry Walsh. © Barry Walsh

Get Wet series (David Twohill), 1979 Paul Worstead. © Paul Worstead

Get Wet series (Greedy Smith), 1979 Paul Worstead. © Paul Worstead

Get Wet series (Martin Plaza), 1979 Paul Worstead. © Paul Worstead

Get Wet series (Peter O'Doherty), 1979 Paul Worstead. © Paul Worstead

Get Wet series (Reg Mombassa), 1979 Paul Worstead. © Paul Worstead

James Morrison with flugelhorn, 1994 Kerrie Lester. © Kerrie Lester/Copyright Agency, 2020

Eagle Ross (Ross Wilson), 2005 Tessa Jones. © Tessa Jones

Dame Joan Sutherland, c. 1977 Robert Hannaford. © Robert Hannaford/Copyright Agency, 2020

Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now...", 1999 Ivan Durrant. © Ivan Durrant/Copyright Agency, 2020

Bernie McGann, 1999 Sage. © Sage

Peter Allen, 1980 William Yang. © William Yang

Mandawuy Yunupingu, NT, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott

Slim Dusty at Carlton Hill Station, WA, 1993 John Elliott. © John Elliott

Troy Cassar-Daley, Brisbane, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott

Kasey Chambers, Sydney, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott

Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith. © Estate of Eric Smith

Molly Meldrum, 2004 Robin Sellick. © Robin Sellick

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Related information

Face the music

Magazine article by Christine Clark, 2005

Drawn from the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Face the Music explores the remarkable talents and achievements of Australian musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities associated with the music industry.