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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.

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General information

Shirley Purdie

Contributing artists

Born: 1947, Gilbun – Mabel Downs Station, WA
Works: Warmun, WA

Gloves off (Tom Uren)

Public information

Governance & Board

An agency plan prepared in accordance with the Information Publication Scheme.

School visit information

All you need to know from COVID-19 and group sizes to cancellations and our Certificate of Currency.

Trans-, 2004-05 by Tejal Shah

Tejal Shah

by Gitanjali Dang

Born in 1979, Tejal Shah grew up in Chhattisgarh, central India, moving to Bombay in 1995.

The cast of the Walls That Talk

Alluring Performance Brings Gallery to Life

Archived media releases 2019

See the Gallery through a different lens and experience the portraits with a unique sensorial performance of movement, voice and live sound.

Divide (Self portrait)

Dissections: Layered portraits from the collection is now open

Archived media releases 2016

Dissections, showcases the hyper-realist sculptural self-portrait of artist Sam Jinks, Divide, alongside the painted portrait of philosopher David Chalmers by Nick Mourtzakis, which was commissioned by the Gallery in 2011.

Silent Strength, 2021 Wayne Quilliam

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Learning resources

Let’s look closely at the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022 together! For students and family groups.

Peter, Silverton, NSW, 2012 by Krystal Seigerman

Krystal Seigerman

Finalist interviews

The photograph was a brief, candid moment, which unfolded into a portrait. Peter and I were in Silverton, NSW, chatting as our students explored the town. The weak afternoon light suddenly became dramatic and defined, so I asked Peter if I could take his portrait.

Shen Jiawei, 2016 by Mark Mohell

Shen Jiawei

Explore The Popular Pet Show

Shen Jiawei was born in China. During the Cultural Revolution he laboured in the Great Northern Wilderness, but even as he worked there, he gained recognition as an artist.

Portrait of Ingvar Kenne, 2012 by Simon Harsent

Simon Harsent

Finalist interviews

I like to think I'm an artist who uses photography as my medium, but I work commercially as a photographer and it's my full time occupation so I guess that defines me as a photographer or maybe a commercial artist?

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Learning resources

We encourage you to look, to feel, to think, to question and most importantly, to identify and connect.

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Entry guidelines 2024

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize

Read the full requirements for entering the prize.

Keep the balance, 2010 by Eko Nugroho

Eko Nugroho

Born and raised in Yogyakarta, Eko Nugroho (b. 1977) entered the art scene at the height of Reformasi.

Potret diri di depan kelambu terbuka (Self portrait before the open mosquito net), 2009 by Herra Pahlasari

Herra Pahlasari

by Aminudin TH Siregar

At the time of Herra Pahlasari’s birth in 1978, her academic parents were living in Canberra.

I was not waving but drowning II, 2005 by Atul Bhalla

Atul Bhalla

by Khavita Singh

Atul Bhalla was born in 1964 in New Delhi. He frequently combines photography, installation, sculpture, video, painting and performance to question the human relationship with the natural and constructed environment.

Leo Schofield

Exhibition opening speech

General content

Leo Schofield introduces the exhibition, Masters of fare: chefs, winemakers, providores.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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