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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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National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

Upcoming exhibition

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 marks the end of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions.

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

John Brack x Noel McKenna

A face in the mirror

Upcoming exhibition

John Brack x Noel McKenna: A face in the mirror 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.

People drawing at easels in the Gordon Darling Hall

Drawn In

Event, Sunday 22 March

Draw while listening to Robyn Mellor’s BlockSounds recorder ensemble, as they showcase a range of music from the Renaissance to the 21st century.

Nic in the virtual tour studio

Virtual Highlight Tour

Portrait Adventure

Event, Tuesday 7 April

Choose your own adventure with Education Delivery Officer, Nic, on a virtual tour where you can cast your vote to guide your journey through the collection.

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

Virtual Highlight Tour

Exhibition Intro: John Brack x Noel McKenna

Event, Tuesday 19 May

Join Marina, Visitor Experience Coordinator, as she takes you through the John Brack x Noel McKenna exhibition live from the galleries.

Leanne Benjamin

Virtual Highlight Tour

Event, Tuesday 12 May

Join Visitor Experience Assistant, Kat, as she looks at portraits in the collection that embody the stories and themes from the 1948 film, The Red Shoes.

Marcia Langton

Virtual Highlight Tour

Planographic print

Event, Tuesday 5 May

Join Quinton, Visitor Experience Assistant, as they explore the intricacies of screen prints and lithographs in the collection.

Marea Gazzard

Virtual Highlight Tour

Event, Tuesday 28 April

Join Learning Facilitator Cate, as she explores the artistry of Judy Cassab and reveals the stories behind her striking portraits.

Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz

Virtual Highlight Tour

Our Power, Our Planet, Our Portraits

Event, Tuesday 21 April

On the eve of World Earth Day, join Education Delivery Officer Sami to explore portraits of Australians who have harnessed public action to protect our environment.

Robert Wellington

Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture

Should Portraiture Be a Competition?

Event, 6:00pm, Wed 22 Apr

This year’s Annual Lecture will be presented by academic, author, art historian and judge of Portrait Artist of the Year, Associate Professor Robert Wellington.

Cathy Freeman meeting Kaylene Whiskey

Kaylene Whiskey’s portrait of Cathy Freeman

Kaylene Whiskey’s portrait of Cathy Freeman winning Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics to become part of the National Portrait Collection. Specially commissioned for the current survey exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey, the three-panelled series depicts Cathy Freeman AC as she lights the torch, runs and wins Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Super Cathy

Heroes on Country

First Nations (upper primary)

Event, Selected days until Thursday 21 May

Discover portraits of and by First Nations people and explore the rich cultural perspectives of storytelling through art.

Little Faces

Little Faces

Event, Selected days from Wednesday 18 March

Join us as we look at Samuel Hodge’s portrait of Romance Was Born designers and friends Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales. Explore colour, texture and luminosity through sensory play, water colour painting and paper craft.

People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

Event, Selected days from Sunday 15 March

Explore the Gallery at a gentle pace with quiet areas, sensory kits and creative activities for families to enjoy together.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal at Moongalba Stradbroke Island (her sitting down place)1982

Virtual Highlight Tour

Women beyond the frame

Event, Tuesday 17 March

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Learning Facilitator, Sally, as she dives into the portraits and stories of pioneering women.

© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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