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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

Saturday 27 May 2023 – Sunday 26 May 2024

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

At ease

In Gallery One

Exhibition closes 27 August

Enjoy, sit back, and relax with some of our favourites from the Gallery’s collection, where they find themselves expertly – and comfortably – captured by their artists.

Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo

Portrait23: Identity

Exhibition closes 18 June

Portraiture. Not as you know it. We invite you to stretch, push, resist and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.

Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa

Portrait 23: Identity tour

11:15am, Fri 10 Mar until Fri 16 Jun

Join us in the Gallery for a free 30-minute tour of Portrait23: Identity, as we stretch, push and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.

Bookings available
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)

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 available
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.

A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil

Art Cart

10:00am, Wed 3 May until Sun 18 Jun

Ponder your place in the world and reflect on your own identity by making your own ‘me tree’.

Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman

Reconciliation Week highlights tours

Be a Voice for Generations

2:15pm, Sat 27 May until Sat 3 Jun

To celebrate Reconciliation Week, our free highlights tours will focus on some remarkable, resilient and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the collection, exploring our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

Bookings available
Yves Rees
Yves Rees
Yves Rees
Yves Rees

Virtual Highlight Tour

Gender, voice and trans identity

12:30pm, Tue 30 May
Live online

Writer Yves Rees discusses Voice Notes – their Portrait23: Identity catalogue essay about gender, voice and trans identity.

Bookings required
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 opens 3 June

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.

Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio

Printed Portraits with Alison Alder

Megalo Print Studio

10:00am, Sat 3 Jun

In this hands-on workshop with Alison, discover more about her work as she teaches you the process of screen printing to create a portrait of someone who inspires you.

Bookings required
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles

Virtual Highlight Tour

Reconciliation Week Stories

12:30pm, Tue 6 Jun
Live online

Join us as we celebrate Reconciliation Week with a focus on the stories and portraits of the fabulous First Nations faces of Robert Fielding, Jessica Mauboy, Heath Bergerson and Jack Charles.

Bookings required
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Wed 7 Jun

Join us in the Gallery as we explore Portrait23: Identity with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Bookings required
Gracenotes
Gracenotes
Gracenotes
Gracenotes

Drawn in

Gracenotes

1:00pm, Sun 11 Jun

Draw while listening to Gracenotes as they sing an eclectic mix of harmonies inspired by contemporary, traditional folk, gospel and American genres.

Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage

Virtual Highlight Tour

Barry, Edna & Les

12:30pm, Tue 13 Jun
Live online

Join us as we explore the (sometimes cheeky) portraits of Barry Humphries, and all reflect on the art, life and humour of this Australian legend.

Bookings required
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition opens 17 June

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. Entries are now open!

Bookings available
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean

Panel discussion

A judge’s eye

10:30am, Sat 17 Jun

Join us in the Gallery to hear from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023 judges Tamara Dean, Daniel Boetker-Smith, and our very own Joanna Gilmour, as they discuss the artworks and themes in this year’s Prize.

Bookings required
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson

Lecture and workshop

Concept, Capture, Craft - The Art of Idea Visualisation with Kris Anderson

2:30pm, Sat 17 Jun

Join award-winning photographer Kris Anderson as he talks about his creative process, and reveals techniques you can use for your own work.

Bookings required
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

National Photographic Portrait Prize highlights tour

11:15am, Mon 19 Jun until Mon 2 Oct

Join us in the Gallery for this free 30-minute tour of the 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize to hear more about the artist’s vision and stories of their subjects.

Bookings available
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil

Art Cart

Patchwork Portraits

10:00am, Tue 20 Jun until Sat 5 Aug

Get warm, cosy and creative with us this winter! Drop-in any time with family and friends for free craft activities.

Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize

Virtual Highlight Tour

NPPP 2023 – a Curator's intro

12:30pm, Tue 20 Jun
Live online

Join Senior Curator and NPPP 2023 judge, Joanna Gilmour for a peek at some of this year’s artworks in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023.

Bookings required
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna

Virtual Highlight Tour

A Fijian Perspective

12:30pm, Tue 27 Jun
Live online

Join us as we celebrate Pride Month with poet Peter Sipeli and visual artist Kirikiti Juna, as they talk about life and portraits from their uniquely Fijian LGBTIQA+ perspective.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 28 Jun

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 29 Jun

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play

Portrait Play

10:30am, Mon 3 Jul until Fri 14 Jul

Through looking, playing and creating, go on a journey of speculation as we explore a variety of portraits and wonder what their stories could be.

Bookings required
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash

Virtual Highlight Tour

For Our Elders

12:30pm, Tue 4 Jul
Live online

Join 2022 and 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize finalist Jacob Nash as he discusses portraiture through the lens of this year’s NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders.

Bookings required
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys

Story Time

Tangki Tjuta Donkeys – Story and sculptures by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

10:30am, Thu 6 Jul

Come one, come all! Book in (see what we did there?) for an immersive story time with us and celebrate NAIDOC week!

Bookings required
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys

Story Time Online

Tangki Tjuta Donkeys – Story and sculptures by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

2:00pm, Fri 7 Jul
Live online

Come one, come all and celebrate NAIDOC week! Book in (see what we did there?) for an Auslan-interpreted story time with us!

Bookings required
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake

Virtual Highlight Tour

NPG X Yarra Ranges

12:30pm, Tue 11 Jul
Live online

While the 2022 National Photographic Portrait Prize visits Lilydale in VIC, catch Yarra Ranges Regional Museum curator Maddie Reece as they speak to finalists Ayman Kaake and Joey Chan about photography, portraits and their art practice.

Bookings required
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman

NAIDOC Portraits - For Our Elders

School group bookings

3:15pm, 4:15pm, Mon 17 Jul until Fri 21 Jul

Celebrate NAIDOC with First Nations portraiture during a live National Portrait Gallery program.

Bookings required
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong

Virtual Highlight Tour

Girls who wear glasses

12:30pm, Tue 18 Jul
Live online

Read the bottom line for me. Better or worse? Better or worse? Join us for a lively tour as we focus on (ay, see what we did there?) some of our bespectacled beings in the collection.

Bookings required
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton

First Nations Perspectives in Visual Arts

Live Teacher PD Webinar

4:00pm, Thu 20 Jul
Live online

Teachers – celebrate First Nations stories with version 9.0 of the F-10 Australian curriculum. Explore the visual arts collections from leading collections at the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Australia.

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

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Fri 21 Jul

Join us in the Gallery as we explore collection, exploring the artworks with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Sighted companions and guide dogs are more than welcome.

Bookings required
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith

Draw collection portraits with Yvette Coppersmith

2:00pm, Sat 22 Jul
Live online

Did someone say, ‘art workshop with an Archibald winner?!’ Woo! Join Yvette Coppersmith from wherever you are for a drawing session using a range of works from the collection.

Bookings required
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin

Virtual Highlight Tour

A river runs through it

12:30pm, Tue 25 Jul
Live online

Can you believe it’s been 40 years since the High Court decision to save the Franklin river?! Grab your paddle and join us as we explore the portraits connected to this beautiful lutruwita/Tassie waterway.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 26 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 27 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 28 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required

More events

Monday 27 May 2024 – Tuesday 27 May 2025
© 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