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Uncommon Australians

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

Gordon and Marilyn Darling interview

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

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

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.

Darling Portrait Prize

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

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

The Darling

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Friendship’s rhyme and reason

Poetic trio

Honour board

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges and thanks all its supporters.

Cocktail reception

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

Supporters

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

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

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

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

In Conversation

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

Winner announcement

We are delighted to announce the winner of the inaugural $75,000 Darling Portrait Prize is Anthea da Silva with her painting of contemporary dancer Dr Elizabeth Cameron-Dalman OAM.

Lunch or dinner

Along with a meal in an elegant space, your guests may also enjoy portraits of notable Australians.

Wedding

Allow us to paint the possibilities of your wedding reception.

Prizes and awards

Information on the Darling Portrait Prize and National Photographic Portrait Prize.

The People’s Choice Awards

The votes have been counted, and the winners of the National Portrait Gallery’s People’s Choice Awards for the Prize exhibitions are...

The National Portrait Prizes

The National Portrait Gallery today announced finalists for the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize, a national new $75,000 prize for Australian portrait painting, and released selected images from the final prize pool for the popular National Photography Portrait Prize.

Call for entries

DPP entries close 11:55pm AEDT Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Foundation members announced

The newly-established National Portrait Gallery Foundation met for its inaugural meeting last Friday 15 May in Canberra.

Robin Eley

Robin Eley studied Fine Arts at Westmont College, USA and began his career as a professional illustrator. Eley was a finalist in the Eutick Memorial Still Life Prize in 2010 and his work was Highly Commended in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize in 2010 and 2011.

2015-17 Acquisition Fund

From 2015 to 2017 the Acquisition Fund was focussed on Reg Richardson AM by Mitch Cairns, a finalist in the Archibald Prize 2014, and a great example of minimalist portraiture.

Donors

Portrait Donors

Opportunities for support

Donations of all sizes play a vital role in supporting the development of the collection, exhibitions, access and learning programs, and resources in print and online.

Artist lovers re-united across the seas

Exile burnishes love’s bond

Melting an ice man

Warm heart of mine

Jacki Weaver, 2018

Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2018

Visiting the National Portrait Gallery

Access support for a general visit to the Gallery.

Zhang Xiaogang

Born 1958, Kunming, Yunnan Province. Lives and works in Beijing.

Icons Syndicate

Terrace Room Two

The eastern side of the Terrace Room is perfect for a breakfast or lunch, workshop or planning day.

Terrace Room One

The western side of the Terrace Room is perfect for a breakfast or lunch, a workshop or planning day.

Frequently asked questions 2024

Answers to your questions about entering the prize.

Jaq Grantford

A self-portrait from a different time, feels like a different time, even though it's only a couple of years ago or one and a half years, if that, and it was my commentary on COVID and how I was feeling about it at the time.

National Portrait Gallery to undergo renovation work

The National Portrait Gallery will undergo renovation works in 2019 to maintain the integrity of its building and the Gallery’s collection of prized artworks.

Terrace Room

The Terrace Room opens onto a north facing, outdoor heated terrace with lovely views.

Andrew Sayers AM FAHA

The Chairman, Board, Director and staff mourn the loss of the National Portrait Gallery's inaugural director.

NPG Announces departure of Director, Karen Quinlan AM

National Portrait Gallery Chair Penny Fowler announced today that NPG Director Karen Quinlan will leave the Gallery in September to take up a new position as Chief Executive Officer of Arts Centre Melbourne.

Presenting… Shirley Purdie’s Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

The National Portrait Gallery this week launches an online exhibition of Shirley Purdie’s remarkable self-portrait Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe to coincide with Reconciliation Week.

2023 Annual Appeal

In 2023 the Annual Appeal was focussed on a work by one of Australia's best loved and most successful portrait painters, Judy Cassab AO CBE, depicting model, entrepreneur and deportment icon, June Dally-Watkins OAM.

History

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

Ms Karen Quinlan appointed to lead the NPGA

The Board of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Karen Quinlan as its incoming Director.

Foundation Members

Chairman Sid Myer AM, Hayley Baillie, Tim Bednall, Jillian Broadbent AC, Patrick Corrigan AM, Marilyn Darling AC, Tim Fairfax AC, Penny Fowler AM, John Liangis, Dr Helen Nugent AC and Nigel Satterley AM.

Shen Jiawei

Shen Jiawei was born in China. During the Cultural Revolution he laboured in the Great Northern Wilderness, but even as he worked there, he gained recognition as an artist. 

Seduce, Amuse, Entertain

Michael Desmond, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2007 Prize.

Relaxed mornings

Access support for a visiting the Gallery before the general 10:00am opening time.

Philanthropic donations enable otherwise unobtainable acquisition

A magnanimous portrait of Helena Rubinstein has been acquired for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

NPPP 2009 exhibition essay

Dr Christopher Chapman, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2009 Prize.

Architecture

Natural light and human proportions – the design by Johnson Pilton Walker

Past directors

Directors of the National Portrait Gallery from 1998 to today.

To arrive at hope

Penelope Grist, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2020 Prize.

Some prime ministers

Sarah Engledow explores the history of the prime ministers and artists featured in the exhibition.

Less than six degrees of separation

Dr Anne Sanders NPG Curatorial Researcher investigated the lives of the pioneering psychologists whose portraits are featured in Inner Worlds.