Skip to main content
Menu

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

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree
Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree

New acquisitions

In Gallery Two

Open every day

A collection display that showcases some recent major acquisitions including Nell and Julie Rrap.

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

Ryan Presley: Paradise won

On view until May 2025

Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley's site-specific commission Paradise won is prominently positioned at the Gallery’s entrance. This ambitious new work invites conversations about the ongoing legacies of colonisation and celebrates First Nations survival and autonomy.

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.

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

Collection Highlights Tour

2:15pm, Daily until Sun 13 Oct

Join us in the Gallery for this free 30-minute tour of the collection, exploring portrait stories and the history of the building.

Bookings optional
William Nuttall with horses in field, 2023 Noel McKenna
William Nuttall with horses in field, 2023 Noel McKenna
William Nuttall with horses in field, 2023 Noel McKenna
William Nuttall with horses in field, 2023 Noel McKenna

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Exhibition closes 13 October

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 closes 13 October

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

Bookings available
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022
Viewing Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

The Prizes Highlights Tour

11:15am, Wed 26 Jun until Sun 13 Oct

Join us on a 30-minute tour of this year's Darling Portrait Prize and National Photographic Portrait Prize to explore the links between portraiture and identity through diverse representations of Australians and Australian life.

Bookings available
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman

Olympic state of mind

In Gallery Three

Open every day

To mark the 2024 Paris Olympics, we are showcasing collection works that celebrate some of the exceptional athletes who have represented Australia at the Games over its long history.

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 closes 2 February

The exhibition is a vibrant and dynamic exhibition by acclaimed contemporary artist Joan Ross. Transforming scenes from colonial artworks through a digital ‘cut and paste’ technique and her signature fluorescent yellow, Ross explores critical issues like climate change, greed and consumerism.

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

Some Lads

In Gallery Four

Open every day

The 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.

More events

Thursday 12 September 2024
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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