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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.

Face the Music

Australia has become recognised for the range and talent of its musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities in general associated with the music industry

More information on Face the Music

Selected images

20 images
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Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly, 2004 Jon Campbell. © Jon Campbell
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia, 1999 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland
Sherbet
Sherbet, 1974 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Nick Cave
Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley. © Estate of Howard Arkley. Licensed by Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art.
Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence, 1997 Polly Borland. © Polly Borland
Waiting for Zipporah (Christine Anu)
Waiting for Zipporah (Christine Anu), 2002 Elizabeth Barden. © Elizabeth Barden
Don Burrows at work
Don Burrows at work, 1998 Barry Walsh. © Barry Walsh
James Morrison with flugelhorn
James Morrison with flugelhorn, 1994 Kerrie Lester. © Kerrie Lester/Copyright Agency, 2024
Eagle Ross (Ross Wilson)
Eagle Ross (Ross Wilson), 2005 Tessa Jones. © Tessa Jones
Dame Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Sutherland, c. 1977 Robert Hannaford AM. © Robert Hannaford/Copyright Agency, 2024
Johnny O'Keefe
Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now...", 1999 Ivan Durrant. © Ivan Durrant/Copyright Agency, 2024
Bernie McGann
Bernie McGann, 1999 Sage. © Sage
Peter Allen
Peter Allen, 1980 William Yang. © William Yang
Mandawuy Yunupingu, NT
Mandawuy Yunupingu, NT, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott
Slim Dusty at Carlton Hill Station, WA
Slim Dusty at Carlton Hill Station, WA, 1993 John Elliott. © John Elliott
Troy Cassar-Daley, Brisbane
Troy Cassar-Daley, Brisbane, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott
Kasey Chambers, Sydney
Kasey Chambers, Sydney, 2004 John Elliott. © John Elliott
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith. © Estate of Eric Smith
Molly Meldrum
Molly Meldrum, 2004 Robin Sellick. © Robin Sellick
Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence, 1997 Harry Borden. © Harry Borden
20 images
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Related information

Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe
Peter Sculthorpe

Virtual Highlight Tour

The Sound of Portraits

12:30pm, Tue 27 Oct

Join Experience Facilitator, Nina, to explore how portraits can embody the sound, experience and feeling of making music.
Robert, Lindy, Grant
Robert, Lindy, Grant
Robert, Lindy, Grant
Robert, Lindy, Grant

Face the music

Magazine article by Christine Clark, 2005

Drawn from the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Face the Music explores the remarkable talents and achievements of Australian musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities associated with the music industry.
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

The Gallery

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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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