Search / simon elliott

Thousand mile stare

John Elliott talks about his photographic portrait practice, including his iconic image of Slim Dusty arm-in-arm with Dame Edna Everage.

Hop, skip, shoot

Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer.

Dr Who?

It is not well known that the person who composed the famous theme music for the BBC's Doctor Who series was Australian Ron Grainer.

With a Little Help from my Friends

The story behind the acquisition of the portrait of Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

No Laughing Matter

The biographical exhibition of Barry Humphries was the first display of its kind at the National Portrait Gallery.

Clay, water, fire

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

9 lives of Karin Catt

Australian photographer Karin Catt has shot across the spectrum of celebrity, her subjects including rock stars, world leaders and actors.

Aussies all

The exhibition Aussies all features the ecclectic portrait photography of Rennie Ellis which captures Australian life during the 70s and 80s.

A Singular Line

A newly acquired work by Stella Bowen adds to the National Portrait Gallery's growing collection of important Australian self-portraits.

Now Listen...

Artist Tessa Jones recalls creating her portrait of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock singer and music producer, Ross Wilson.

A Captured Moment

The acquisition of David Moore's archive of portrait photographs for the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

Poet of the Fleeting Moment

Mark Strizic's work crosses a broad spectrum of photographic fields including urban, industrial, commercial, and architectural photography. 

Before Too Long

The story behind the creation of the portrait of singer-songwriter Paul Kelly by the artist Jon Campbell.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

The story behind the commissioning of the tapesty portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

True Stories

The story behind the creation of the portrait of Helen Garner by Jenny Sages.

A Meeting of Great Minds

The story behind Rick Amor's portrait of Professor Peter Doherty.

Richard Woldendorp, Perth, WA, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

10pm-1am # 7, 2006

Janai and Josh, 2011

Stephen Dupont, 2018

Nell Gwyn

Simon Tedeschi unplugged, 2002

Gift of Tim Olsen 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Simon McKeon, 2012

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

Listening to Light, Simon Mordant, 2015

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mordant Family Collection 2016. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Portrait of Ingvar Kenne, 2012

123 Faces

Magda Keaney examines the 123 Faces project by Simon Obarzanek.

Kylie Kwong, 2003

Purchased 2005

Bill Leak, 1999

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002

Peter Elliott, 1964

Gift of Richard Elliott 2016. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Kondelea (Della) Elliott, 1979

Gift of Jeannie Highet and Kim Buchan 2012

Study for portrait of Peter Elliott, 1964

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard Elliott
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program 2016

Study for the portrait of Peter Elliott, 1964

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard Elliott
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program 2016

Study for the portrait of Peter Elliott, 1964

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard Elliott
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program 2016

Study for portrait of Peter Elliott, 1964

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard Elliott 2016
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Study for portrait of Peter Elliott, 1964

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Richard Elliott 2016
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Herb Elliott, 1992 (printed 2008)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008

John Elliott, IXL - Elders,

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2001

R. M. Williams, 1982 (printed 2005)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005

Macca (Ian McNamara), 2007

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2007

Jimmy Little, Sydney, 2004

Gift of the artist 2005

Pro Hart, Broken Hill, NSW, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Ted Egan, Alice Springs, NT, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Sir Charles Nicholson, 1898

Gift of Stephen Scheding and Jim Berry 2015

Edna Jessop, Mt Isa, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Herb Wharton, Cunnamulla, Qld, 2004

Gift of the artist 2005

Smoky Dawson, Sydney, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Kelly Dixon, Tent Hill, Qld, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Chad Morgan, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Kasey Chambers, Sydney, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Rolf de Heer, Adelaide, SA, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Rick Carey, WA, 1998 (printed 2004)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Stan Coster, Manilla, NSW, 1994 (printed 2004)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Neil Murray, Bolac, VIC, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Slim Dusty at Carlton Hill Station, WA, 1993

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

Robert Edwards, 2009

Commissioned with funds provided by Art Exhibitions Australia 2009

Dick Smith, Sydney, 2000 (printed 2004)

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Mandawuy Yunupingu, NT, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

June Elliott, c. 2000

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004

Troy Cassar-Daley, Brisbane, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke, 1870

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

Slim Dusty and Dame Edna Everage, Carlton Hill Station, WA, 10 July 1993, 1993

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 1999

3 Mordants, 2011

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

The Haigh family, c. 1996

Gift of the Haigh family 2005

John Williamson, Springbrook, Qld, 2004

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005

Respite (Simon Yates – acrobat), 2019

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.

Thousand Mile Stare

Thousand mile stare provides a unique portrait of people of rural Australia

In Conversation

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

Simon Harsent

I like to think I'm an artist who uses photography as my medium, but I work commercially as a photographer and it's my full time occupation so I guess that defines me as a photographer or maybe a commercial artist?

Three lemons for Simon

Simon, Docklands, 2018

Portrait 14

This issue of Portrait Magazine features the exhibition Masters of Fare, Greg Weight's photographic collection, John Elliott, Barbara Blackman and more.

Finalist interviews

Interviews with NPPP 2013 finalists Melanie Faith Dove, Simon Harsent, Ahmad Sabra, Sharon Zwi, Katherine Bennett, Krystal Seigerman, Arianne McNaught, Janet Tavener, Louise Whelan, Myles Nelson and Heather Corrigan.

Post-show blues, 2019

2012-13 Acquisition Fund

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

NPPP 2013 learning resource

Exploring select works from the NPPP 2012. For secondary students.

Famous

Australian photographer Karin Catt has photographed world leaders, a host of rock stars and Oscar-winning compatriots Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett.

Face the Music

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

Rarely Everage

The exhibition begins with Barry's childhood in Camberwell, Melbourne and chronicles his days as a struggling actor in Australia and England, his creation of characters including Barry McKenzie, Dame Edna Everage, Sandy Stone and Sir Les Patterson

Ivy Shore, 1961

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Harvey and Russell Shore 2014

Portrait of Diana Pockley, c. 1945

Gift of Dr Simon Pockley in memory of Diana Pockley 2023. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Rennie Ellis

Rennie Ellis: Aussies All is a celebration of the life and work of the late Australian photographer Rennie Ellis.

Sporting Archibald

David Combe and the portrait, 1983

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of David Combe 1998
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Portraits for Posterity

Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.

David McAllister to join National Portrait Gallery collection

Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, David McAllister AM will join the Portrait Gallery’s national collection in a newly-commissioned portrait taken by illustrious Australian photographer, Peter Brew-Bevan.

Mark Strizic

This exhibition traces the creative output of nearly 50 years by one of Australia's landmark living photographers.

William Barak at work on the drawing ‘Ceremony’ at Coranderrk, 1902

Purchased with the assistance of funds provided by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society 2000

Country man

Angus Trumble’s tribute to the late Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser.

Peter Brew-Bevan Portraits

In this exhibition Sydney based photographer Peter Brew-Bevan brings together an intimate collection of works that highlight his passion for the genre of portraiture over the last 10 years

Finalists announced for National Photographic Portrait Prize

The National Portrait Gallery would like to congratulate the forty finalists for the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019.

Barak, respected elder

Dr Christopher Chapman looks at the life of Wurundjeri elder William Barak through the portrait painted by Victor de Pury in 1899.

Masters of Fare

Masters of fare: chefs, winemakers, providores celebrates men and women who have championed the unique culinary characteristics and produce of Australia, enriching our lives with new ideas and new flavours over the past forty years.

The essence of you

Lee Tulloch remembers her great friend NIDA-trained actor turned photographer Stuart Campbell.

Margaret Seares, 2018

Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation 2018

Catholic clergymen from the Diocese of Adelaide, c. 1862

Purchased 2018

Australian of the Year

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

Shifting pixels

In 2007 the National Portrait Gallery produced its first online exhibition featuring the animated self portraits created by some of Australia’s most innovative visual artists and animators.

Face the music

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.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 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.

Australian Visit

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.

Shiny, happy people

Glynis Jones on the Powerhouse’s retrospective of one of Australia’s foremost fashion reportage and social photographers.

Portrait Donors

Exposed: Voyeurism Surveillance and the camera since 1870

The Tate/SFMOMA exhibition Exposed examined the role of photography in voyeurism and how it challenges ideas of privacy and propriety.

Seduce, Amuse, Entertain

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

Seduce Amuse Entertain

Michael Desmond profiles a handful of the entrants in first National Photographic Portrait Prize and notes emerging themes and categories.

Touchy touchy

Tony Curran ponders whether our phones can change the course of painting.

Paper, boy

Peter Wilmoth’s boy-journalist toolkit for antagonising an Australian political giant.

The alchemist’s profile

John Zubrzycki meets Australian paint pioneer Jim Cobb.

To the end of the earth

The portrait of Dr. Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster from 1780, is one of the oldest in the NPG's collection.

Everybody, look serious

Dr Sarah Engledow, National Photographic Portrait Prize judge and curator, introduces the 2014 Prize.

The family scene

Traudi Allen discovers sensitivity, humour and fine draughtsmanship in the portraiture of John Perceval.

Love my way

Inga Walton delves into the bohemian group of artists and writers who used each other as muses and transformed British culture.

Naked nostalgia

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