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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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Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe (1935-1978) was Australia's first rock 'n' roll star. At a time when radio stations were reluctant to promote local talent, O'Keefe was the first Australian rock performer to have a chart hit with the 1958 song 'Wild One'.

2 portraits in the collection

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now...", 1999

Portrait, synthetic polymer paint on board

Commissioned with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 1999

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe, 1975 (printed 2011)

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Australian Aboriginal Cricketers

Australian Aboriginal Cricketers

Australian Aboriginal Cricketers

Australian Aboriginal Cricketers, 1867

Portrait, albumen silver photograph on original lithograph title sheet

Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2009

Master Johnny Day, Australian Champion Pedestrian

Johnny Day

‘The Australian Wonder’, Johnny Day (1856–1885), was an undefeated world-champion juvenile walker.

1 portrait in the collection

image not online

Johnny Warren OAM MBE

Johnny Warren OAM MBE (1943-2004), footballer, football administrator and commentator, grew up in southern Sydney where he played his first games of soccer, as his game was then known, for the Botany Methodists.

1 portrait in the collection

Master Johnny Day, Australian Champion Pedestrian

Master Johnny Day, Australian Champion Pedestrian

Master Johnny Day, Australian Champion Pedestrian

Master Johnny Day, Australian Champion Pedestrian, c. 1866

an unknown artist

Portrait, albumen photograph carte de visite

Purchased 2014

Johnny Warren OAM MBE

Johnny Warren OAM MBE

Johnny Warren OAM MBE

Johnny Warren OAM MBE, 2008

Natasha Gadd, Rhys Graham

Portrait, single channel moving image, colour, sound, 2 minutes, 50 seconds

Purchased 2011

Johnny, 2006 by Sean Hobbs

Johnny, 2006

Johnny, 2019 Nic Duncan

Johnny, 2019

John Patten (Johnny Jarrett), 1958 Australian bantamweight boxing champion, 2017 by Tiffany Jane Garvie

John Patten (Johnny Jarrett), 1958 Australian bantamweight boxing champion, 2017

by Tiffany Jane Garvie

Paul Kelly

Face the Music

Previous exhibition, 2005

Australia has become recognised for the range and talent of its musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities in general associated with the music industry

image not online

Alex Kolozsy

Alex Kolozsy left his native Transylvania for Hungary as a small child.

1 portrait in the collection

Fans at an Easybeats concert, Sydney Stadium, 1965 Bob King

Oz Origins

A little bit louder now

General content

Australia’s passion for rock ‘n roll was kindled by American and British acts in the 1950s and 60s. The novel genre’s driving, licentious rhythms and voices captured imaginations and libidos, not to mention aspiring young musicians.

John at Richie's, 2024 ABBIE DAVIS

John at Richie's

Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel 1984 (detail) Grant Matthews

Pub Rock

Your backstage pass to 70s and 80s sounds and scenes

Previous exhibition, 2020

Celebrate the people, places and sounds of Australian pub rock and its enduring impact on our nation’s identity.

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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