Skip to main content
Menu

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.

Carly, 2012 by Nick Bowers

Carly, 2012

by Nick Bowers
Image

Nick Cave by Howard Arkley

Portrait story

An interview with graffiti artist Marc de Jong about the art of Howard Arkley.

Tommy, 2019 Nick Kohler

Tommy, 2019

Nick Kohler
Image
Lockdown bubble, 2021 Nick Stubbings

Lockdown bubble

Nick Stubbings
Image
Leon, 2020 Nick Moir

Leon

Nick Moir
Image
Pro Hart & Associates
Pro Hart & Associates
Pro Hart & Associates

Pro Hart & Associates, 2004

Nick Young
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 1999

Howard Arkley
Portrait, synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Commissioned with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 1999

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 1973 (printed 1991)

Ashley Mackevicius
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2006

Nick Enright
Nick Enright
Nick Enright

Nick Enright, c. 1976 (printed 2004)

Robert McFarlane
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 2001 (printed 2014)

Ingvar Kenne
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2017. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Nick Cave, 1994

Bleddyn Butcher
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Nick Enright
Nick Enright
Nick Enright

Nick Enright, n.d.

Stuart Campbell
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Stuart Campbell 2012

Study for painting commission. David Chalmers Portrait Study 3
Study for painting commission. David Chalmers Portrait Study 3
Study for painting commission. David Chalmers Portrait Study 3

Study for painting commission. David Chalmers Portrait Study 3, 2010

Nick Mourtzakis
Portrait, pastel and graphite on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned 2011

David Chalmers
David Chalmers
David Chalmers

David Chalmers, 2011

Nick Mourtzakis
Portrait, oil on canvas

Commissioned 2011

Study for a portrait of Alex Wodak
Study for a portrait of Alex Wodak
Study for a portrait of Alex Wodak

Study for a portrait of Alex Wodak, 2003

Nick Mourtzakis
Portrait, conté pencil and pastel on paper

Gift of Dr Jack Wodak 2006. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Sir Bernard Katz
Sir Bernard Katz
Sir Bernard Katz

Sir Bernard Katz, 1993 (printed 2003)

Nick Sinclair
Portrait, bromide print on photographic paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2004

Sir John Cornforth
Sir John Cornforth
Sir John Cornforth

Sir John Cornforth, 1993 (printed 2003)

Nick Sinclair
Portrait, bromide print on photographic paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2004

Nick Farr-Jones
Nick Farr-Jones
Nick Farr-Jones

Nick Farr-Jones, 2019

James Brickwood
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Commissioned with funds from the Patrick Corrigan Portrait Commission Series 2019

David Chalmers

'Consciousness, iPhones and philosophical zombies'
Portrait story

Professor David Chalmers explains his interest in philosophy and introduces some of his theories on the conscious mind.

Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party)
Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party)
Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party)

Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party), 1983

Bleddyn Butcher
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave
Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave
Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave

Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave, 1998 (printed 2020)

Dominique Issermann
Portrait, inkjet print on Hanhnemühle paper

Purchased 2022

Nick Mourtzakis

A non-material and non-physical portrait

Lecture, 21 May 2011
General content

Inner Worlds features the recently commissioned portrait of world-renowned philosopher of consciousness David Chalmers by Melbourne-based artist Nick Mourtzakis.

Divide (Self portrait)

Dissections

Layered portraits from the collection
Previous exhibition, 2016

This display sets two impressive portraits from the collection into direct dialogue: Sam Jinks’ sculptural self portrait and Nick Mourtzakis’ painted portrait of David Chalmers, along with related maquette and sketches.Together they explore physical and psychological manifestations of the strata of self-hood.

The Boys Next Door
The Boys Next Door
The Boys Next Door

The Boys Next Door, 1978

Michel Lawrence
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Paul Hester
Paul Hester
Paul Hester

Paul Hester, 1987 (printed 2021)

Alan Mitchell
Portrait, inkjet print on canvas

Gift of the artist 2021

Mark and Nick Seymour
Mark and Nick Seymour
Mark and Nick Seymour

Mark and Nick Seymour, 1997

Nathan Kelly
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Transition: Nikki & Nick, 2011 by Emma Phillips

Transition: Nikki & Nick, 2011

by Emma Phillips
Image
Rocking the boat, 2006 by Mark Tedeschi

Rocking the boat, 2006

by Mark Tedeschi
Image
Sleep, 2019 Natasha Bieniek

Sleep, 2019

Natasha Bieniek
Image
Dave Graney
Dave Graney
Dave Graney

Dave Graney, 1996

Bleddyn Butcher
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Donald Horne
Donald Horne
Donald Horne

Donald Horne, 2000

Melissa Beowulf
Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Julia Horne and Nick Horne
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program 2015

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.

Guthugga Pipeline, Christmas Show, upstairs, The (old) Griffin Centre, Civic, 22 December 1979. Crowd, L-R : Ben Donaldson, Anne Redmond, Nick Vollis, Esa  Makela, Megan Woodrow (Mohawk), Andy Hall (scarf) 'pling

Capital Cool

Stop in all the byways, playin' rock 'n roll
General content

Outsiders tend to give Canberra a bad rap: sterile, plagued by politicians, a comatose capital for professionals and academics. Nick Cave once said he didn’t like the city because there were too many punks.

Drought story, 2020 Joel B. Pratley

Living Memory

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021
Previous exhibition, 2021

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Upcoming exhibition

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). The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

Nick Cave, Susie Bick and Luke Cave, 1998 (printed 2020) Dominique Issermann. Courtesy of the artist © Dominique Issermann

Stepping out

Devotion

Beautiful punk love

Michael Hutchence by Harry Borden

Portrait story

An interview with photographer Harry Borden about his portrait of Michael Hutchence.

Divide (Self portrait)

Dissections: Layered portraits from the collection is now open

19 August 2016
Archived media releases 2016

Dissections, showcases the hyper-realist sculptural self-portrait of artist Sam Jinks, Divide, alongside the painted portrait of philosopher David Chalmers by Nick Mourtzakis, which was commissioned by the Gallery in 2011.

Howard Arkley 1
Howard Arkley 1
Howard Arkley 1

Howard Arkley 1, 1980 (printed 2012)

Robert Rooney
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2012

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown (detail), 2006 (printed 2020) © Peter Brew-Bevan

Australian Love stories

Family, friends, fanatics and foes (and everything in between!)
Previous exhibition, 2021

Reconnect and reflect with our new major exhibition, Australian Love Stories (in real life!) as we explore love, affection and connection in all its guises.

Grant McLennan

Grant (No. 3 of Robert, Lindy, Grant)

Jenny Watson
Image
George Miller
George Miller
George Miller

George Miller, 2002 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Inner Worlds

Portraits and Psychology
Previous exhibition, 2011

Portraits of Australia’s pioneering psychologists and artworks by artists fascinated by the subconscious mind.

John Farnham

Glossy - Faces Magazines Now

Previous exhibition, 1999

Magazines are the portrait galleries of the 90s... Glossy is about magazines. The exhibition presents the work of eight photographers, Australian by birth or long-term residency, who are producing portraits for publication in magazines around the world.

Neil Finn and Paul Hester
Neil Finn and Paul Hester
Neil Finn and Paul Hester

Neil Finn and Paul Hester, 1987 (printed 2021)

Alan Mitchell
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

image not online

Kylie Minogue, 1999

Polly Borland
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2000

Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce, 2000 (printed 2004)

Karin Catt
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Purchased 2005

Escape, 2006 by Eddy Collett

Headspace 7

Me and My Place
Previous exhibition, 2006

Headspace 7: Me and My Place, the seventh in the National Portrait Gallery's series of student exhibitions, will be presented at Commonwealth Place. Me and My Place is the curatorial theme for the 2006 exhibition.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal at Moongalba

Proof

Portraits from The Movement 1978-2003
Previous exhibition, 2003

Portraits from The Movement is the first comprehensive survey of photographs from the Juno Gemes archive, which has supported the Aboriginal struggle for justice in Australia from 1978 to the present day.

Steve Kilbey
Steve Kilbey
Steve Kilbey

Steve Kilbey, 1981 (printed 2018)

Gary Ede
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased with funds provided by Wayne Williams 2018

image not online

Kylie Minogue 1, 2018 (printed 2020)

Nicole Bentley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2020

image not online

Kylie Minogue 2, 2018 (printed 2020)

Nicole Bentley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2020

Untitled #15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)
Untitled #15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)
Untitled #15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)

Untitled #15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999), 1999-2000

Matthew Sleeth
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999)
Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999)
Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999)

Untitled #88 (Captain Brad Kilpatrick and Kylie Minogue, Balibo, East Timor, 20 December 1999), 1999

Matthew Sleeth
Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Professor Peter Doherty

Australia and the Nobel Prize

Previous exhibition, 2003

This unique exhibition will give an insight into the private lives, pursuits and work of all the Nobel laureates associated with Australia

The Boys Next Door

Oz Punk

Sends a permanent shiver down my spine
General content

In 1976, without having been blooded on the Sydney or Melbourne pub circuit, The Saints recorded a single – ‘(I’m) Stranded’ – earning them the distinction of releasing a punk single before The Sex Pistols did.

Robert, Lindy, Grant

Face the music

Magazine article by Christine Clark, 2005

Drawn from the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Face the Music explores the remarkable talents and achievements of Australian musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities associated with the music industry.

Head study for portrait of Margaret Olley
Head study for portrait of Margaret Olley
Head study for portrait of Margaret Olley

Head study for portrait of Margaret Olley, 1994

Jeffrey Smart AO
Portrait, pencil on paper

Bequest of Nick Enright AM 2004

image not online

National arts and history? Yes, please

27 May 2015
Archived media releases 2015

Recent research shows that two thirds of all Australians have a sterling interest in the arts and Australian history. This is just one of the promising findings to arise from the National Portrait Gallery’s commissioned snapshot of its national brand awareness, via a nationally representative survey.

Robert, Lindy, Grant
Robert, Lindy, Grant
Robert, Lindy, Grant

Robert, Lindy, Grant, 1981

Jenny Watson
Portrait, oil on canvas board (triptych)

Purchased 2002

Self portrait

Mysterious eyes

Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945
Previous exhibition, 2016

Boyd’s self-portrait at age 25 is joined by his equally emotive portraits of those around him.

Untitled #15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)

Oz Elsewhere

Get me outta here
General content

While the blues-inspired hard guitar riffs of Australian pub rock were shaping tastes, a number of artists were developing music primed for success on the international stage.

Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence

Michael Hutchence, 1997

Harry Borden
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

George Spartels
George Spartels
George Spartels

George Spartels, early 1970s

Ivan Gaal
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2019

Mick Molloy

A serious man

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2010

Alistair McGhie discusses Andrew MacColl's portrait photograph of Australian comedian Mick Molloy.

Nick Cave

On commission

Magazine article by Andrew Sayers AM, 2002

Former NPG Director Andrew Sayers discusses the art of commissioning portraits.

Clive James

Golden Jubilee

Magazine article by Magda Keaney, 2002

Polly Borland's photograph of The Queen was commissioned by Buckingham Palace as part of a series of high profile celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee.

Drought story, 2020 Joel B. Pratley

Living Memory – National Photographic Portrait Prize extended to January 2022

6 September 2021
Archived media releases 2021

In light of recent and ongoing gallery closures brought on by the COVID pandemic, the NPG’s 2021 National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition season will be extended until 16 January next year.

David Williamson

The Story So Far...

Magazine article by Simon Elliott, 2002

A reflection on the National Portrait Gallery's first four years.

Johnny O'Keefe

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

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown

Australian Love Stories

4 January 2021
Archived media releases 2021

A major new exhibition celebrating love in all its guises. Opening 20 March 2021.

Elle Macpherson

Australian Visit

Previous exhibition, 2006

The exhibition will include works of art from the NPG Canberra's permanent collection with some inward loans and aims to highlight the achievements of notable Australians.

Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel

Announcing... Pub Rock

11 August 2020
Archived media releases 2020

An exhibition that celebrates the people, places and sounds of Australian pub rock and its enduring impact on the nation’s identity, opens at the National Portrait Gallery on 5 September, 2020.

The Chess Player, 2011 by Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell

NPPP 2012 learning resource

An interview with the photographer.

Silent Strength, 2021 Wayne Quilliam

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Previous exhibition, 2022

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

spaces between movement and stillness

Harriet Schwarzrock: spaces between movement and stillness

10 February 2021
Archived media releases 2021

To celebrate the new exhibition Australian Love Stories, renowned Australian glass artist Harriet Schwarzrock has been commissioned to make a large-scale installation reflecting on the role the heart plays as our emotional centre.

Lee Kernaghan near Broken Hill

Australian of the Year

Inspiring a Nation
Previous exhibition, 2010

The Australian of the Year Awards have often provoked controversy about who is selected and whether their achievements are remarkable.

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.

L. Gordon Darling AC CMG

Portrait of a patron

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2007

A new painting by Jiawei Shen captures the vision and resolve of the Gallery's founder, L. Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Elizabeth

The National Portrait Prizes

29 January 2020
Archived media releases 2020

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.

In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester

Spring exhibition program

18 August 2020
Archived media releases 2020

The following on-line and physical exhibitions are planned to open at the National Portrait Gallery in coming months. For those who can’t travel at present, selected works from all exhibitions will be included online

Cadel Evans

Winning in technicolor

Magazine article by Alistair McGhie, 2009

Alistair McGhie writes about the portraits of three of Australia's top professional cyclists: Cadel Evans, Stuart O'Grady and Robbie McEwen painted by Matthys Gerber.

Bogong Cluster

Announcing... Jonathan Jones Bogong Cluster: Physically distant, socially connected

5 January 2021
Archived media releases 2021

A new light installation by Jonathan Jones reflects on the importance of community through the lens of his Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi heritage, whilst also acting as a prompt for gallery visitors to maintain social distancing.

David Chalmers

Coming into being

NPPP 2018 exhibition essay
General content

Dr Christopher Chapman, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2018 Prize.

Arthur Boyd's studio

Boyd to man

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2016

Christopher Chapman looks at influences and insight in the formative years of Arthur Boyd.

Marcia Langton

The story of us

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2022

Gallery directors Karen Quinlan and Tony Ellwood talk to Penelope Grist about the NPG and NGV collaborative exhibition, Who Are You: Australian Portraiture.

image not online

Portrait Donors

Listed by year
Honour board
Dr Christopher Chapman

The art of Inner Worlds

Lecture, 7 May 2011
General content

Dr Christopher Chapman NPG Curator of Inner Worlds explains the development of an exhibition that spans from Surrealism to contemporary art.

Skyhooks (Red Symons, Bob Starkie, Shirley Strachan, Greg Macainsh, Freddie Strauks) in Parker’s studio, Fitzroy, 1975 David Parker

Cool cool world

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2022

Penelope Grist unpacks photographs by David Parker, who captured the phenomenal emergence of the 1970s and 80s Melbourne music scene.

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.

Untitled, 2020 Steph Fuller

The look and the feel

Living Memory exhibition essay
General content

Editor Stephen Phillips looks at the finalists' photographs through a judge's lens.

The National Portrait Gallery

In the galleries

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2009

Christopher Chapman highlights the inaugural hang of the new National Portrait Gallery building which opened in December 2008.

Kevin Rudd

An Australian story

Magazine article by The Hon. Dr Kevin Rudd, 2009

In his speech launching the new National Portrait Gallery building on 3 December 2008, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd set the Gallery in a national and historical context.

Alan Goldberg

Beyond the bow tie

About Face article

Nathan Faiman delves into the rich life story and legacy of Alan Goldberg.

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.

Daniel Johns, Silverchair Melbourne 2007 by Martin Philbey

Rock art

Magazine article by Andrew Mayo, 2016

Andrew Mayo talks to three of Australia’s most prominent and prolific music photographers — Martin Philbey, Kane Hibberd and Daniel Boud — about the challenges and inspiration behind their craft.

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.

National Portrait Gallery

History

About us

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

Patrick White at Centennial Park, 1979–1980

Listomania

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2013

Sarah Engledow describes the fall-out once Brett Whiteley stuck Patrick White’s list of his loves and hates onto his great portrait of the writer.

Dave Graney

Naked nostalgia

Magazine article by Penelope Grist, 2016

Penelope Grist reminisces about the halcyon days of a print icon, before the infusion of the internet’s shades of grey.

Seven sisters song Kaylene Whiskey

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.

© 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