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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.

Words will never hurt me, 2010

by Catherine Ramsay

Words will never hurt me, 2010

Year 12, Genesis Christian College Qld
digital print on canvas

After reflecting on teenage suicide, I created a portrait responding to the contradictory conflicts found in bullying: the denial that it affects you and the real harm that it renders to others. The depicted victim turns her back on the bully, yet the symbolic white dress is splattered with bloody words. She drags the symbol of death as she walks.

Headspace 10

Headspace 10
(More information, View all 99 images)

Self portrait
Testing the water
Cowgirl
The angry boy

Related information

The Precasso Armoured Butterfly, 2010 by Alicia Mozqueira
The Precasso Armoured Butterfly, 2010 by Alicia Mozqueira
The Precasso Armoured Butterfly, 2010 by Alicia Mozqueira
The Precasso Armoured Butterfly, 2010 by Alicia Mozqueira

Headspace 10

Self/reflections

Previous exhibition, 2010

Headspace 10 is a national, secondary school art exhibition from all states and territories exploring the theme, Self/reflections, through portraiture.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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 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.

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