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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.

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.

Gordon and Marilyn Darling interview

General content

Gordon and Marilyn Darling talk about the origins of the National Portrait Gallery and some of their favourite portraits.

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

31 August 2015
Archived media releases 2015

The Chairman, Board, Director and all the Staff of the National Portrait Gallery mourn the loss of our Founding Patron, who died peacefully in Melbourne this morning. He was 94.

Maria, 2022 Sean Hutton

Darling Portrait Prize

Prizes and awards

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015), who was instrumental in establishing the National Portrait Gallery of Australia. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

Gordon Darling Hall

Gordon Darling Hall

Spaces

Just inside the entrance, the Hall has a soaring ceiling and plenty of natural light.

The Darling

The Darling

Moustaches

Beards were generally been out for British military men in the 1800s: civilians might have worn them as badges of masculinity, but in the army they were perhaps a bit too close to indiscipline for comfort.

Terms and conditions

Darling Portrait Prize 2024
Darling Portrait Prize

These terms and conditions govern entries to the National Portrait Gallery’s Darling Portrait Prize 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darling Portrait Prize 2024
Darling Portrait Prize
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman

Friendship’s rhyme and reason

Nearest & Dearest

Poetic trio

Gordon and Marilyn Darling

Honour board

Support your Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges and thanks all its supporters.

Cocktail reception

Options

We can provide a stunning, sophisticated space for your cocktail reception.

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Supporters

$5,000 - $9,999
Honour board
David Malouf

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

Annual Appeal

The Circle of Friends Acquisition Fund for 2012 was dedicated to purchasing a portrait of David Malouf by Rick Amor.

People's Choice Award announcement

General content

We are delighted to announce the winner of the $10,000 People's Choice Award for the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize is David Darcy for his painting of farmer and environmentalist Wendy Bowman.

Liam Nunan and Guy Simon

In Conversation
General content

Darling Prize finalist Liam Nunan and actor Guy Simon discuss the portrait, their friendship and the intensity of the acting life.

In Conversation

Liam Nunan and Guy Simon, 31st July 2020
Recorded virtual programs

Darling Portrait Prize finalist Liam Nunan and actor Guy Simon discuss their portrait, their friendship and the intensity of the acting life.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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