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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.

Presence and Absence

Portrait Sculpture in Australia

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

More information on Presence and Absence

Selected images

12 images
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Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Decorative portrait – Len Lye, c.1925 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Conamdatta, a North(ern) Queensland Aboriginal man, 1897 by James White (1862-1918)
Conamdatta, a North(ern) Queensland Aboriginal man, 1897
 by James White (1862-1918)
Portrait bust of Mrs Gerald Marr Thompson, 1892 by Emile Leysalle (1847- after 1902)
Portrait bust of Mrs Gerald Marr Thompson, 1892 by Emile Leysalle (1847- after 1902)
Desirée Quigg, c.1925-26 (cast 1990) by Arthur Murch (1902-1989)
Desirée Quigg, c.1925-26 (cast 1990) by Arthur Murch (1902-1989)
Portrait head. Enid, 1937-38 by Margel Hinder (1906-1995)
Portrait head. Enid, 1937-38 by Margel Hinder (1906-1995)
Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail) by Charles Abraham (1816-1885)
Thomasine Wentworth, c.1844 (detail) by Charles Abraham (1816-1885)
Lady Diana Duff Cooper, c.1909-1919 by Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931)
Lady Diana Duff Cooper, c.1909-1919 by Bertram Mackennal (1863-1931)
Tom Roberts, 1910 by Francis Derwent Wood (British) (1871-1926)
Tom Roberts, 1910 by Francis Derwent Wood (British) (1871-1926)
A young Australian, 1930 by Daphne Mayo (1895-1982)
A young Australian, 1930 by Daphne Mayo (1895-1982)
Mary Gilmore, 1934 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Mary Gilmore, 1934 by Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)
Sir Alfred Stephen, 1898 (detail) by Allen Hutchinson (wking 1880s-90s)
Sir Alfred Stephen, 1898 (detail) by Allen Hutchinson (wking 1880s-90s)
Child’s head, 1912 by Mildred Lovett (1880-1955)
Child’s head, 1912 by Mildred Lovett (1880-1955)
12 images
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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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© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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