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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.

Diamond in the rough, 2009

by Kimberlee McFarlane

Diamond in the rough, 2009

Year 12, Hawker College ACT
digital print
42.3 x 29.3 cm
on display at the National Portrait Gallery

I was diagnosed with a severe sight disorder at the age of seventeen. In using my own eyes to ‘make connections’ as part of Headspace 9, I draw awareness to severe vision impairment problems such as Macular Dystrophy. The striking blue eyes exhibit an illuminating, extended gaze which mimics that of the blind or vision impaired. The reduced saturation and soft colouring demonstrates angelic innocence whilst representing the reduced colour vision many vision impaired people experience. It displays a beauty close to my heart which many take for granted.

Headspace 9

Headspace 9
(More information, View all 34 images)

Self Portrait
All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream
Bruised
Untitled

Related information

Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer

Headspace 9

Self Identities - Making Connections

Previous exhibition, 2009

Headspace 9 is an exhibition of outstanding student self portraits (paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography and media arts) by Year 10, 11 and 12 school students that will engage a national audience.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency