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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.

What's on

Sunday 1 October 2023 – Wednesday 1 October 2025

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

Collection Highlights Tour

2:15pm, Daily until Sun 31 Dec

Take a 30 minute tour of the Portrait Gallery exploring the collection and the building.

Bookings optional
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard

The Iconoclasts

In Gallery Three

Exhibition open every day

Australian portraiture of the mid-twentieth century was rich with the influence of European modernism, exemplified by the work of artists including Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Clifton Pugh.

Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley

The Cosmopolitans

In Gallery Two

Exhibition closes 31 March

Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker

Gulgawarnigu

Thinking of something, someone

Exhibition closes 2 October

In partnership with Big hART we are proud to present Gulgawarnigu - Thinking of something, someone, a national presentation of digital artworks created from Ngarluma country leramagadu (Roebourne), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk
Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition closes 2 October

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.

Bookings available
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)

This is my place

In Gallery Four

Exhibition closes 21 April

We all have places where we feel at ease, a sense of belonging, of ownership, of relaxation, of self. Given the opportunity, portraitists love to place their sitters in an environment where they are most at home.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait: Myself and I

In Gallery Five

Exhibition closes 3 March

Encompassing works created over the past 80 years, this selection of portraits from the Gallery’s collection celebrates inventiveness and diversity in approaches to self portraiture.

Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Frocked up

In Gallery Six

Exhibition closes 17 March

The selection of works in Frocked up richly demonstrates the interconnectedness of costume and portraiture – and the many ways in which artists have employed the representation of dress to powerful, insightful effect.

Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939

Archie 100

A Century of the Archibald Prize

Exhibition opens 20 October

This major exhibition celebrates 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of our nation.

Bookings available
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939
Tempe Manning Self-portrait 1939

Archie 100 Highlights Tour

11:00am, Daily from Mon 23 Oct until Sun 28 Jan

Join us for a 45-minute tour of Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize. Hear more about the history of the century-old prize and uncover the stories of some famous faces and local heroes.

Bookings available
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 26 Oct
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 2 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 16 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
The Giants movie poster
The Giants movie poster
The Giants movie poster
The Giants movie poster

Screening: The Giants

The Extraordinary Story of Bob Brown and the Forest

1:00pm, Sun 19 Nov

Join us for a screening of The Giants, and hear environmentalist Bob Brown’s story, woven through the extraordinary life cycle of Australia’s giant trees.

Bookings required
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee

Virtual Highlight Tour

Material Matters

12:30pm, Tue 21 Nov
Live online

Throw out your oil paints, banish your watercolours and show us what you’re really made of! This week, we’re moving beyond the canvas to meet some ladies who use unusual materials.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

10:30am, Wed 22 Nov

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Thu 23 Nov

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018
Vincent Namatjira OAM Studio self-portrait 2018

Archie 100: Online Workshop

Classroom Learner Year 3–6

2:00pm, Thu 23 Nov
Live online

Bring us and Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize to your classroom with this virtual excursion.

Bookings required
Me
Me
Me
Me

Little faces

10:30am, Fri 24 Nov

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner
Bag: Metanoia Leather, Photo: paulcharlesbarlett.com, Model: Jia Gardiner

Undercurrent Design Market 2023

Fri 24 – Sun 26 November

Hosted by our friends at The Curatoreum, we're excited to be hosting more than 60 Australian makers and designers to help put a spotlight on local art, craftsmanship and creativity.

Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman
Judith Wright with Barbara Blackman

Virtual Highlight Tour

Friendship

12:30pm, Tue 28 Nov
Live online

Grab your BFF and hang out with us as we take a look at artworks exploring friendship.

Bookings required
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Audio-described tour

1:00pm, Fri 1 Dec

Join us as we explore the collection and discover artworks with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Bookings required
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate
Rhythm Syndicate

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Presented by Rhythm Syndicate

1:30pm, Sun 3 Dec

Join local jazz vocal group Rhythm Syndicate in the Gallery as they take you on a musical journey to get you in the mood for the festive season.

Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross
Albert Namatjira with family, c. 1955 Pastor S.O. Gross

Namatjira Project

Screening

2:30pm, Sun 3 Dec

Join us for a screening of Namatjira Project, which tells the story of the Namatjira family and their quest to regain copyright to Albert Namatjira’s iconic artwork.

Bookings required
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022
Collection display in Gallery One, August 2022

Virtual Highlight Tour

Surprise me!

12:30pm, Tue 5 Dec
Live online

Join three of our Access and Learning team for a lively portrait discussion where they’ve chosen an artwork to surprise each other.

Bookings required
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe

December Spotlight Series

10:15am, Wed 6 Dec

For our final Spotlight of the year, we welcome Callum Tolhurst-Close, Manager, Foundation & Private Giving, who will be looking at the portrait of Peter Sculthorpe by Eric Smith.

Bookings required
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO
Maggie Beer AO

In Conversation

Maggie Beer AO and Del Kathryn Barton

2:00pm, 2:45pm, Thu 7 Dec
Onsite and live online

Join us with Maggie Beer AO, cook restaurateur and businesswoman and Del Kathryn Barton, artist, in celebration of the National Portrait Gallery's most recent commissioned portrait, Maggie, 2023 by Del Kathryn Barton.

Bookings required
Family Space
Family Space
Family Space
Family Space

Family Space

Summer faces, special places

10:00am, Daily from Thu 21 Dec until Tue 30 Jan

Drop in to the family space these school holidays for free creative activities to enjoy together.

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

Collection Highlights Tour

2:15pm, Daily

Take a 30 minute tour of the Portrait Gallery exploring the collection and the building.

Bookings optional
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli
Self portrait with gladioli

Virtual Highlight Tour

Oh George

12:30pm, Tue 6 Feb
Live online

Join our Senior Curator Joanna Gilmour as she explores the life of celebrated portraitist George Lambert. You’ll be glad(ioli) you did.

Bookings required

More events

Thursday 2 October 2025 – Sunday 3 October 2027
© National Portrait Gallery 2023
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