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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 22 June 2024 – Monday 22 June 2026

Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley
Paradise won, 2024 Ryan Presley

Ryan Presley: Paradise won

Exhibition open every day

Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley’s major installation greets you as you arrive at the Gallery, in a work that invites conversations about the ongoing legacies of colonisation.

Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition closes 15 September

Launched at the National Portrait Gallery in 2022, the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize is a competition for primary and secondary students, with four separate age categories across Kindergarten to Year 12.

William Nuttall with horses in field
William Nuttall with horses in field
William Nuttall with horses in field
William Nuttall with horses in field

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition opens 22 June

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Bookings available
Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt
Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt
Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt
Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition opens 22 June

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 celebrates established and emerging artistic talent from across the country.

Bookings available
Those trees came back to me in my dreams
Those trees came back to me in my dreams
Those trees came back to me in my dreams
Those trees came back to me in my dreams

Joan Ross

Those trees came back to me in my dreams

Exhibition opens 24 August

Discover 50 colonial-era collection works alongside 50 works by contemporary artist Joan Ross. With wit and wry critique, Ross will make you consider the artist’s role in determining which stories are told, about who and why.

Some lads #1
Some lads #1
Some lads #1
Some lads #1

Some Lads

In Gallery Four

Exhibition opens 24 August

Tracey’s Moffat’s complete Some Lads series powerfully and playfully depicts Russell Page, Larrakia man Gary Lang, Muruwari man Matthew Doyle, and Graham Blanco, a descendant of the Mer (Murray Island) people.

a most beautiful experiment, 2024 wani toaishara
a most beautiful experiment, 2024 wani toaishara
a most beautiful experiment, 2024 wani toaishara
a most beautiful experiment, 2024 wani toaishara

wani toaishara: a most beautiful experiment

In Gallery Four

Exhibition opens 24 August

A most beautiful experiment responds to Congolese photographer Jean Depara’s documentation of Kinshara’s nightlife in the 1960s.

Lowitja O'Donoghue
Lowitja O'Donoghue
Lowitja O'Donoghue
Lowitja O'Donoghue

Gallery One

Open every day

Drawn from the National Portrait Gallery collection, this salon-style hang references the lavish 18th- and 19th-century European salons where paintings were hung floor-to-ceiling.

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

Gallery Two

Open every day
Bobbi Sykes, Aboriginal Medical Service, 1973 Carol Jerrems
Bobbi Sykes, Aboriginal Medical Service, 1973 Carol Jerrems
Bobbi Sykes, Aboriginal Medical Service, 1973 Carol Jerrems
Bobbi Sykes, Aboriginal Medical Service, 1973 Carol Jerrems

Carol Jerrems: Portraits

Exhibition opens 30 November

Carol Jerrems: Portraits is a major exhibition of one of Australia’s most influential photographers. Jerrems’ intimate portraits of friends, lovers and artistic peers transcend the purely personal and have come to shape Australian visual culture.

Bookings available
where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning

if only we could take the time: contemporary Australian photography

Exhibition opens 30 November

This show, staged alongside the major exhibition Carol Jerrems: Portraits, spotlights the work of three contemporary Australian artists whose work sits in dialogue with Jerrems’ legacy.

Visitors in front of where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
Visitors in front of where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
Visitors in front of where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning
Visitors in front of where will the story take us, 2002-2024 (printed 2024) (detail) Katrin Koenning

Guided Tour

The art of portraiture

11:00am, Daily from Mon 16 Dec until Sun 30 Nov

Learn about the architecture of the building before journeying through the Gallery to hear about the lives and legacies of the portrait subjects and the artistic techniques used to tell their stories.

Bookings required
Visitors in front of The Quickening, 2022 (detail) Ying Ang
Visitors in front of The Quickening, 2022 (detail) Ying Ang
Visitors in front of The Quickening, 2022 (detail) Ying Ang
Visitors in front of The Quickening, 2022 (detail) Ying Ang

Introduction tour

Welcome highlights

2pm daily

Join a short introductory tour of the National Portrait Gallery and discover a few key portraits.

Bookings available
Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nick Cave

The National Portrait Gallery Collection

Currently on view

Browse the full list of portraits from the collection that are on view now.

Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover
Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover

The Immersive World of Thom Roberts

Exhibition opens 12 April

A free exhibition of over 100 works by contemporary Australian artist Thom Roberts. Step into his world and experience bold paintings, animation and installation works where people and places intertwine.

People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery
People looking at an artwork (Marcia Langton by Brook Andrew) in the Gallery

Art Break

12:30–1:00pm, every Thursday

Experience the joy and transformative power of slow looking. By taking your time with art, you can reconnect with the present, uncover hidden details and make personal discoveries.

Bookings required
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes
Jimmy and Jane Barnes

In Bloom

A collection of the beautiful, bold and botanical

Exhibition opens 31 May

Explore the beauty and symbolism of flowers in this weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that showcases more than 50 portraits from the collection, new acquisitions and selected loans.

Two people drawing
Two people drawing
Two people drawing
Two people drawing

Drawn In

Face to Face

Selected Sundays in Winter

Celebrating connection and collaboration, stay warm inside and out this winter with a new season of Drawn in at the National Portrait Gallery.

The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem
The Last Women, 2025 Atong Atem

Atong Atem: The Last Women

Currently on view

Atem’s major new commission The Last Women embodies the artist’s vibrant style of staged studio portraiture.

Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister
Wesley Enoch and David McAllister

One-on-one

Exhibition opens 5 July

On show in Gallery 3, One-on-one showcases portraits of pairs from the collection from the 1800s to today.

Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities
Children doing crafting activities

Art cart

In Bloom

10:00am, Tue 8 Jul until Sun 28 Sep

Drop into the Gallery for free artmaking activities inspired by the exhibition In Bloom.

Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 23 Jul

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 24 Jul

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 25 Jul

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
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One
People viewing portraits in Gallery One

Portraits together

For people living with dementia

10:30 – 11:30am, Second Monday of the month

We offer a free, tailor-made program for small groups of people living with dementia and their friends, families or carers.

Bookings required
Robyn Williams AO
Robyn Williams AO
Robyn Williams AO
Robyn Williams AO

Virtual Highlight Tour

Seeing Scientists

12:30pm, Tue 12 Aug
Live online

Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABC Radio National’s ‘The Science Show’ with Robyn Williams.

Bookings required
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 13 Aug

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 14 Aug

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 15 Aug

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
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

Exhibition opens 16 August

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.

Bookings available
Floor talk in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 exhibition
Floor talk in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 exhibition
Floor talk in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 exhibition
Floor talk in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 exhibition

Artist floor talks

National Photographic Portrait Prize

11:00am, Sat 16 Aug

Join us on the opening day of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 for a series of artist floor talks in the galleries.

Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition
Two people viewing artworks in the In Bloom exhibition

Guided tour

In Bloom: A collection of the beautiful, bold and botanical

1:00pm, Mon 18 Aug until Sun 30 Nov

Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours are conversational, friendly and informative.

Bookings available
Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)
Divide (Self portrait)

Virtual Highlight Tour

Memento Mori

12:30pm, Tue 19 Aug
Live online

Join Visitor Experience Assistant, Kat for an insightful discussion on the symbolism of skulls in three portraits from the Gallery’s collection.

Bookings required
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake

Curator tour with Rebecca Blake

National Photographic Portrait Prize

1:00pm, Wed 20 Aug

Explore this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize with exhibition curator, Rebecca Blake.

Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes
Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes
Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes
Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes

Virtual Highlight Tour

Love Stories

12:30pm, Tue 26 Aug
Live online

Join National Portrait Gallery Learning Faciliator Cate and explore how artists capture the love stories of their sitters.

Bookings required
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Wed 27 Aug

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)
The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)
The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)
The Story Teller (Noni Hazlehurst)

Virtual Highlight Tour

Guiding Beginnings

12:30pm, Tue 2 Sep
Live online

Join National Portrait Gallery Learning Facilitator Sally as we look at portraits in the collection that honour the incredible work of early childhood educators.

Bookings required
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni

Tina Arena coming soon

On view from 6 September

National treasure, Tina Arena AM, is set to celebrate a remarkable 50 years in the music industry. In honour of her dedication, talent and incredible achievements, the National Portrait Gallery has commissioned a new portrait by renowned fashion photographer Georges Antoni.

Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni
Bree Pickering, Tina Arena, Georges Antoni

In conversation

Tina Arena and Georges Antoni

11:00am, Sat 6 Sep
Onsite and live online

Join Australian music icon, Tina Arena AM in conversation with renowned fashion photographer Georges Antoni as they discuss the newly commissioned portrait, Tina.

Bookings required
Two people drawing
Two people drawing
Two people drawing
Two people drawing

Drawn In

Celebrating Tina Arena

1:00pm, Sun 7 Sep

Join us in the Gallery for a special iteration of Drawn In to celebrate our new portrait of Australian music icon Tina Arena AM.

Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake
Rebecca Blake

Virtual Highlight Tour

Curator Intro: NPPP2025

12:30pm, Tue 9 Sep
Live online

Join exhibition curator Rebecca Blake for an introduction to National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025, as she explores the key themes, ideas and preparation process behind the exhibition.

Bookings required
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu
Deveni Temu

Virtual Highlight Tour

Portrait Tok Stori

12:30pm, Tue 16 Sep
Live online

Join retired Pacific Collections Librarian, Deveni Temu, for an insightful exploration of Elizabeth Durack’s remarkable artworks created during her 1968 visit to PNG.

Bookings required
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 17 Sep

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 18 Sep

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
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces
Little Faces

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 19 Sep

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
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Sun 21 Sep

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

Serena Bentley sitting in the In Bloom exhibition
Serena Bentley sitting in the In Bloom exhibition
Serena Bentley sitting in the In Bloom exhibition
Serena Bentley sitting in the In Bloom exhibition

Curator tour with Serena Bentley

1:00pm, Wed 24 Sep

Join exhibition curator, Serena Bentley for a tour of In Bloom. Serena will take you through the exhibition, exploring the symbolism of flowers in a selection of beautiful, bold, botanical portraits.

Spring Family Space
Spring Family Space
Spring Family Space
Spring Family Space

Spring Family Space

10:00am, Sat 27 Sep until Sun 12 Oct

Drop into our Family Space these school holidays for a range of free, creative activities to celebrate all things Spring.

Costa Georgiadis
Costa Georgiadis
Costa Georgiadis
Costa Georgiadis

Spring Family Day

With Costa Georgiadis

10:00am, Sat 27 Sep

Celebrate the unveiling of our new portrait of landscape architect, environmental educator and TV host Costa Georgiadis!

A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery

Portrait Play

10:30am, Mon 29 Sep until Fri 3 Oct

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.

Bookings required
Melissa Malu
Melissa Malu
Melissa Malu
Melissa Malu

Virtual Highlight Tour

Portrait Talanoa with the Australian Museum

12:30pm, Tue 30 Sep
Live online

Join Melissa Malu, Head of Pasifika Collections & Engagement at the Australian Museum, as she discusses community identity and what portraiture means to her from a Tongan and Fijian context.

Bookings required
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery
A child playing with a flower in the Gallery

Portrait Play

10:30am, Tue 7 Oct until Fri 10 Oct

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.

Bookings required
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Sun 12 Oct

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

Flying over Indulkana, 2022 Kaylene Whiskey
Flying over Indulkana, 2022 Kaylene Whiskey
Flying over Indulkana, 2022 Kaylene Whiskey
Flying over Indulkana, 2022 Kaylene Whiskey

Super Kaylene Whiskey

Exhibition opens 15 November

Super Kaylene Whiskey celebrates one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey.

Bookings available
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Sun 16 Nov

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery
People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

3:00pm, Sun 21 Dec

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

More events

Tuesday 23 June 2026 – Thursday 22 June 2028
© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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