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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.

Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925

by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)

Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925

marble head 30.5 x 22.5 x 16.5 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales. Purchased 1938
Lye (1901-1981), a New Zealander later highly regarded for his experimental films and kinetic sculptures, lived temporarily in Sydney over 1923-5 before moving to London and New York.

Presence and Absence
(More information, View all 12 images)

Conamdatta, a North(ern) Queensland Aboriginal man, 1897
Portrait bust of Mrs Gerald Marr Thompson
Desirée Quigg, c.1925-26 (cast 1990)
Portrait head. Enid, 1937-38

Related information

Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia

Previous exhibition, 2003

This exhibition focuses on exploring national and communal identity through sculptural production in Australia, from the early decades of settlement through to the present day
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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.

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