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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.

Collection: Icons

Volume Two

The second instalment of a display featuring bold contemporary portraits drawn from the collection. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

More information on Collection: Icons

Selected images

7 images
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Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe, 2002 James Houston. © James Houston
Louise Sauvage
Louise Sauvage, 1996 (printed 1999) Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell
Mick Fanning at Snapper Rocks
Mick Fanning at Snapper Rocks, 2010 Andrew Maccoll. © Andrew Maccoll
Lee Lin Chin
Lee Lin Chin, 2005 Ingvar Kenne. © Ingvar Kenne
Germaine Greer
Germaine Greer, 1988 Jacqueline Mitelman. © Jacqueline Mitelman
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe, 1992 (printed 2009) George Fetting. © George Fetting/Copyright Agency, 2024
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman, 2002 (printed 2004) Karin Catt. © Karin Catt
7 images
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Related information

Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley

Collection: Icons

Volume One

Previous exhibition, 2018

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso

Shop Talk

Magazine article by Stephen Phillips, 2016

Angus and the arbiters talk (photo) shop for the National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol

Life and time

Portraits by Rod McNicol

Previous exhibition, 2015

Australian photographer Rod McNicol has consistently analysed the passing of time through the evidence of the photographic portrait. At once confronting and tender, McNicol’s portrait photographs are bold and intimate. 
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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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