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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.

Jenny Sages

Paths to Portraiture

The exhibition Sages examines the process of portrait making through four large-scale portraits of women by Jenny Sages, paired with intimate preparatory drawings.

More information on Jenny Sages

Selected images

True Stories - Helen Garner

True Stories - Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Jenny Sages Paths to Portraiture. Video length: 12 minutes 27 seconds

Irina Baronova (handing on the baton)

Irina Baronova (handing on the baton), 2007 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study for portrait of Helen Garner

Study for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study for portrait of Helen Garner

Study for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, 1995 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily')

Untitled (Study for 'Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily'), 1993 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study (b) for portrait of Helen Garner

Study (b) for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study (a) for portrait of Helen Garner

Study (a) for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study of female ballet dancers

Study of female ballet dancers, 2007 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study (c) for portrait of Helen Garner

Study (c) for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study (d) for portrait of Helen Garner

Study (d) for portrait of Helen Garner, 2003 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line

Study of male ballet dancers standing in a line, 2007 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Study of a pair of ballet dancers

Study of a pair of ballet dancers, 2007 Jenny Sages. © Jenny Sages

Related information

Paths to Portraiture learning resource

Paths to Portraiture learning resource

Paths to Portraiture learning resource

Paths to Portraiture learning resource

Jenny Sages

Paths to Portraiture learning resource

Learning resource archive

A companion to our 2012-13 Paths to Portraiture travelling exhibition, which provides suggestions for teachers to use before, during and after their Gallery visit. For Secondary students.

Kate Grenville

'Making Stories'

Australian writer Kate Grenville discusses her career and portrait by Jenny Sages.

Each morning when I wake up I put on my mothers face, 2000

Each morning when I wake up I put on my mothers face, 2000

Each morning when I wake up I put on my mothers face, 2000

Paths to portraiture

Magazine article by Dr Sarah Engledow, 2010

The life and art of Australian artist Jenny Sages is on display in the exhibition Paths to Portraiture.

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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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