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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.

(James Smith) Homunculus trance

2023-2024
Emily Hunt

from the series ‘Homunculus trance’
calico, glazed ceramic, gold lustre, wood, nylon string, synthetic wig, found textiles and bronze (dimensions variable)
(James Smith) Homunculus trance

Purchased 2024
© Emily Hunt

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.
2024.16.a-b
Gallery Five (John Schaeffer Gallery)
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Artist and subject

Emily Hunt (age 42 in 2023)

James Smith

Subject professions

Media and communications

Related portraits

(James Smith / Joshua Smith) Chain of being
(Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being
(Leila Waddell) Chain of being
1. (James Smith / Joshua Smith) Chain of being, 2023-2024. 2. (Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being, 2023-2024. 3. (Leila Waddell) Chain of being, 2023-2024. All Emily Hunt.

Related information

The companion
The companion
The companion
The companion

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Publications

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Performance still of Emily Hunt: The Grotto presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 26 June 2024 Photo © Art Gallery of NSW, Anna Kucera and Jenni Carter
Performance still of Emily Hunt: The Grotto presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 26 June 2024 Photo © Art Gallery of NSW, Anna Kucera and Jenni Carter
Performance still of Emily Hunt: The Grotto presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 26 June 2024 Photo © Art Gallery of NSW, Anna Kucera and Jenni Carter
Performance still of Emily Hunt: The Grotto presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 26 June 2024 Photo © Art Gallery of NSW, Anna Kucera and Jenni Carter

In Profile

Emily Hunt

Magazine article by Isobel Parker Philip and Dr Emma Kindred, 2025

Isobel Parker Philip and Emma Kindred delve into Emily Hunt’s embellished marionettes and intricate etchings which layer history, memory and magic.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The Gallery

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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