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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.

Dr John Yu
Dr John Yu
Dr John Yu
Ah Xian

Dr John Yu, 2004

Portrait, glazed ceramic

Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2004

Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu)
Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu)
Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu)
Ah Xian

Untitled (preparatory study for sculpture of Dr John Yu), 2003

Portrait, pencil and white chalk on paper

Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2004

image not online

Ah Xian

Biography

Ah Xian came to Australia from Beijing in 1989, having already gained some recognition and experience as an artist here.

2 portraits in the collection

Edmund Capon
Edmund Capon
Edmund Capon
Gary Grealy

Edmund Capon, 2011

Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2013
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Edmund Capon
Edmund Capon
Edmund Capon
Neil Duncan

Edmund Capon, c. 1986 (printed 2019)

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2019

Dr John Yu

Clay, water, fire

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2005

Ah Xian's porcelain portrait of paediatrician Dr. John Yu reflects Yu's heritage and interests.

Dr John Yu

Portrait story

An interview with the acclaimed pediatrician Dr. John Yu who describes the process of having his portrait sculpture created by artist Ah Xian.

Edmund Capon

Edmund Capon AM OBE

Biography

Edmund Capon AM OBE (1940–2019), gallery director, commenced his museum career at a commercial gallery in London whilst a student at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

2 portraits in the collection

Marilyn Darling AC

Support Crew

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2011

Portraits of philanthropists in the collection honour their contributions to Australia and acknowledge their support of the National Portrait Gallery.

Automatic for the people: Casey Stoner

Speed demon

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Scott Redford discusses his dynamic portrait commission of motorcycling champion and 2008 Young Australian of the Year Casey Stoner.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Illuminating history

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2023

Joanna Gilmour reflects on 25 years of collecting at the National Portrait Gallery.

Visitors looking at Harold Blair, 1948 by Ernest Buckmaster. Purchased 2010 © Estate of Ernest Buckmaster

History

About us

How the National Portrait Gallery and its unique collection came to be

Kaylene Whiskey Seven sisters song

You are who?

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2022

Joanna Gilmour reflects on merging collections and challenging traditional assumptions around portraiture in WHO ARE YOU.

Barry Humphries

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
General content

Sarah Engledow writes about Gordon and Marilyn Darling and their support for the National Portrait Gallery throughout its evolution.

Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now..."

Making Portraits

Five Years of National Portrait Gallery Commissions
Previous exhibition, 2004

The considered matching of artist to subject has produced an amazing collection of unique and original works in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery

Andy Thomas

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling
Previous exhibition, 2015

This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.

© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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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