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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.

About Face

Portrait treats and treatises

From punchy short pieces to longer form leanings, it's the place to come for a frequent fix of the world's most accessible art form.

Installation of ‘Face to Face: The New Normal’ at Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery, 2021 Vic McEwan
Installation of ‘Face to Face: The New Normal’ at Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery, 2021 Vic McEwan
Installation of ‘Face to Face: The New Normal’ at Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery, 2021 Vic McEwan

Facing the feeling

by Penelope Grist, 23 August 2022

Penelope Grist explores the interplay between medicine and portraiture in Vic McEwan’s Face to Face: The New Normal.
Alan Goldberg
Alan Goldberg
Alan Goldberg

Beyond the bow tie

by Nathan Faiman, 9 August 2021

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

Talking heads

by Louise Maher, 21 December 2020

In their own words lead researcher Louise Maher on the novel project that lets the Gallery’s portraits speak for themselves.
Surfing, Noosa, 1970s Stuart Spence
Surfing, Noosa, 1970s Stuart Spence
Surfing, Noosa, 1970s Stuart Spence

The play’s the thing

by Penelope Grist, 18 November 2020

Penelope Grist charts an immersive path through Stuart Spence’s photography.
Brooke Lockett, Heidi Martin, Karen Nanasca, Halaina Hills; New York, 2012 Lisa Tomasetti
Brooke Lockett, Heidi Martin, Karen Nanasca, Halaina Hills; New York, 2012 Lisa Tomasetti
Brooke Lockett, Heidi Martin, Karen Nanasca, Halaina Hills; New York, 2012 Lisa Tomasetti

Dance like everyone’s watching

by Penelope Grist, 8 September 2020

Penelope Grist’s spirits soar with Lisa Tomasetti’s Dancers in the Streets series.
Sir Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson

Staying home

True south #2

by Joanna Gilmour, 14 July 2020

Joanna Gilmour brings a mindful Douglas Mawson’s perspective to bear on the concept of isolation.
Untitled, Conductors, Tramways series, 1990 © Matt Nettheim
Untitled, Conductors, Tramways series, 1990 © Matt Nettheim
Untitled, Conductors, Tramways series, 1990 © Matt Nettheim

Back track

by Penelope Grist, 1 July 2020

Penelope Grist finds photographer Matt Nettheim re-visiting a formative and fulfilling career tram stop.
The Dance - David McAllister
The Dance - David McAllister
The Dance - David McAllister

Home is where the art is

by Tedi Bills, 9 June 2020

Tedi Bills on how social media in the age of COVID-19 has fanned the flames of our portrait fascination.
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Storied portrait

by Emily Casey, 27 May 2020

Emily Casey takes in Shirley Purdie’s remarkable self-portrait, Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe.
Olegas Truchanas
Olegas Truchanas
Olegas Truchanas

Giving a dam

True south #1

by Joanna Gilmour, 22 May 2020

Ensconced and meditative in crisp Tasmania, Joanna Gilmour pays tribute to passionate green advocate and photographer Olegas Truchanas.
Mural of Italian/Roman actress Anna Magnani (1908­–1973) with face mask, April 2020 Unknown artist
Mural of Italian/Roman actress Anna Magnani (1908­–1973) with face mask, April 2020 Unknown artist
Mural of Italian/Roman actress Anna Magnani (1908­–1973) with face mask, April 2020 Unknown artist

Of plague and portraits

by Corinna Cullen, 18 May 2020

Corinna Cullen on the symbolic power of pandemic-related imagery over the ages.
Jon (Jon Muir)
Jon (Jon Muir)
Jon (Jon Muir)

Roam alone

by Jon Muir OAM, 4 May 2020

Jon Muir, adventurer and Portrait Gallery Collection subject, really knows about isolation.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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© National Portrait Gallery 2022
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
Fax +61 2 6102 7001
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