© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Darling Portrait Prize 2020 Finalist
Simon Yates is a professional acrobat, performer and stuntman. He founded the international touring troupe ‘acrobat’ some twenty years ago, dedicating himself to the unfettered use of the body as a medium of expression, devoid of the spangle and colour we might otherwise associate with the notion of circus. Circus, commedia dell’arte and performance art collide in Simon’s extraordinarily physical performances. Over time, Simon's work in acrobat has evolved, but the spiritual identity remains distinctive – a dry, self-derisive and irreverent take on a centuries-old art form.
The Darling Prize is a new biennial prize for Australian portrait painters, painting Australian sitters. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.
Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
