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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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Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

John Brack x Noel McKenna

Upcoming exhibition

John Brack x Noel McKenna brings together the work of two influential Australian artists.

Boxing for Palm Island (Selwyn), 2010 photo by Hamish Cairns

Fighting Spirit

The Art of Boxing

Touring exhibition, 2026

Fighting Spirit: The Art of Boxing is the story of boxing in Australia told through art and screen.

The Matildas

Marking a pivotal moment in Australian sporting history, the National Portrait Gallery has commissioned a major new portrait of all 23 players from the CommBank Matildas FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Squad.

Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition

Guided Tour

In Bloom: Famous faces and florals

Event, Daily until Sunday 21 December

Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours are conversational, friendly and informative.

Still from The Matildas, 2025 Angela Tiatia

Little Kickers

At the National Portrait Gallery

Event, Selected days from Monday 19 January

Discover the magic of sport and storytelling through art and play!

Nixi Killick

Wearable Identity: Pattern and Purpose with Nixi Killick

Visual Arts (youth)

Event, Available until 6 November 2026

Join the National Portrait Gallery for an engaging 45 minute On Demand session to unleash your creativity through fashion, art and identity in this dynamic workshop led by artist and fashion designer Nixi Killick. For students aged 11 to 16.

Lisa Hilli

Wearable Identity: Adornment and Expression with Lisa Hilli

Visual Arts (youth)

Event, Available until 26 November 2026

Join the National Portrait Gallery for an engaging 45 minute On Demand workshop with artist Lisa Hilli. Explore how adorning wearable forms can become powerful acts of storytelling, identity and cultural expression.

Children placing paper cutouts of athletes on a soccer wall scene

Matildas: Make and move

Event, Daily from Saturday 13 December

Create your own fan bracelet, design a soccer card, and show off your skills with fun movement challenges.

Children with a soccer ball in front of the National Portrait Gallery

Matildas: Game Face

Event, Daily from Saturday 13 December

Celebrate our new commissioned portrait of the CommBank Matildas by artist Angela Tiatia.

A person drawing while sitting at a wooden table

Artists In Bloom

Workshop Series

Event, 1 and 22 Nov, 9 and 10 Jan

Artists In Bloom is a series of workshops led by artists featured in our bold, beautiful and botanical exhibition In Bloom.

Cutting out a paper silhouette in the shape of a head

Papercut Portraits

Artist Workshop with Pamela See

Event, Starts Friday 9 January

Join artist Pamela See for a hands-on workshop inspired by her series Making Chinese Shadows (2017).

The Huxleys in front of 'Kaylene TV', 2023 by Kaylene Whiskey

House of Heroes

Event, Friday 20 February

The Gallery’s annual Late Night event is back in 2026! Curated by sensational duo Will and Garrett Huxley (The Huxleys), this iteration celebrates Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey and her vibrant exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey.

Nathan Beard

Wearable Identity: Material and Self with Nathan Beard

Visual Arts (youth)

Event, Available until 20 November 2026

Join the National Portrait Gallery for an engaging 45-minute On Demand session to explore themes of identity and self-expression through wearable materials led by artist Nathan Beard.

People participating in crafting activities

Portrait Play

Event, Daily from Monday 5 January

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.

Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, 2000 Australian Tapestry Workshop

Curators’ Highlights Tour

Event, Wednesday 10 December

Join us for a special tour of the Gallery’s collection exhibitions with our curatorial team.

Portrait Artist of the Year

Portrait Artist of the Year

Event, On ABC iview and TV from 2 November

Celebrate the art of portraiture with the ABC’s brand-new series Portrait Artist of the Year. Across eight episodes, amateur, emerging and professional artists go head-to-head, competing for the ultimate prize: a life-changing commission to hang in the National Portrait Gallery.

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
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