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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 Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Pat Cash

1999 (printed 2022)
Polly Borland

from the series ‘Australians’
type C photograph on paper, edition 1/10 (image: 39.4 cm x 49.8 cm, sheet: 54.5 cm x 65.0 cm)

In 1999, Polly Borland was jointly commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, London and the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra to photograph 54 Australians who were at the time based in the UK and making notable contributions to British cultural, political and intellectual life. Whether in (or out) of costume, the Melbourne-born artist rendered her sitters simply, in sharp, unyielding focus, with her signature irreverence and wit. As Borland notes, 'The best portraiture is when you get beneath the skin of someone.'

Pat Cash (b. 1965) emerged as a future top-ten tennis player when in 1982 he won the junior doubles at the French Open, junior singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon, and US Open junior singles. After winning the Wimbledon singles final in 1987, he famously scaled the stands to embrace the occupants of his player’s box, initiating what became something of a standard Wimbledon victory celebration. In retirement, Cash has worked as a coach, broadcaster and commentator. A co-founder of environmental organisation Planet Ark, he is an advocate for the work of charities including the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, among others. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2005.

Purchased 2022
© Polly Borland

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Polly Borland (age 40 in 1999)

Pat Cash (age 34 in 1999)

Subject professions

Sports and recreation

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency