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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.

Portrait 59

Autumn 2018

The Life of Riley, 2014 by Brett Canet-Gibson
The Life of Riley, 2014 by Brett Canet-Gibson
The Life of Riley, 2014 by Brett Canet-Gibson

Observation Point

by Brett Canét-Gibson

Portrait photography, by definition, is a collaboration. It is also the grandest of lies masquerading as the ultimate truth.
The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean
The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean
The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean

Snap decisions

by Robert Cook

NPPP judge Robert Cook provides irreverent insight into this year’s fare, and having to be a bit judgemental.
The Window Seat, 1907 by Frances Hodgkins
The Window Seat, 1907 by Frances Hodgkins
The Window Seat, 1907 by Frances Hodgkins

Kiwi magpie

by Penelope Grist

Penelope Grist finds inspiration in pioneering New Zealand artist, Frances Hodgkins.
The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley
The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley
The artist and her family, c. 1854 by Martha Berkeley

Presence and absence

by Joanna Gilmour

The art of Australia’s colonial women painters affords us an invaluable, alternative perspective on the nascent nation-building project.
Betty Bryant, c. 1939
Betty Bryant, c. 1939
Betty Bryant, c. 1939

The life of Bryant

by Tenille Hands

Tenille Hands explores a portrait prize gifted to the National Screen and Sound Archive.
Barack Obama, 2018 by Kehinde Wiley
Barack Obama, 2018 by Kehinde Wiley
Barack Obama, 2018 by Kehinde Wiley

The Obama effect

by Kim Sajet

Kim Sajet reflects on two portraits with a power that extends beyond gallery walls.
Greek Orthodox Priest, 2015 by Sarah Ball
Greek Orthodox Priest, 2015 by Sarah Ball
Greek Orthodox Priest, 2015 by Sarah Ball

Hope for kindness

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Sarah Engledow arrives at the junction of fate and hope in Sarah Ball’s poignant Immigrants series.
Jim Conway
Jim Conway
Jim Conway

Selfhood transcended

by Dr Anne Sanders and Dr Christopher Chapman

Anne Sanders and Christopher Chapman bring passionate characterisation to Express Yourself, the Portrait Gallery collection exhibition celebrating iconoclastic Australians.
Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions
Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions
Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda Courtesy Picnic Productions

Rock star

by Jennifer Coombes

Jennifer Coombes explores the lush images of Picnic at Hanging Rock, featuring Anne-Louise Lambert’s Miranda, the face of the film. 

Related information

Portrait magazine

Publications

Portrait is the preeminent journal of Australian and international portraiture.

Portrait 60

Spring 2018

Ralph Heimans on his portraits, and features on Louis Kahan, Helena Rubinstein, Judy Cassab and Tasmanian convicts.

Portrait 58

Summer 2017-18

Paul Cézanne, Bill Henson and Simone Young, Australian cinema’s iconic women, and feminist portraits by Kate Just.
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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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