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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.

Seeing stars

Joanna Gilmour explores photographic depictions of Aboriginal sportsmen including Lionel Rose, Dave Sands, Jerry Jerome and Douglas Nicholls.

More information on Seeing stars

Selected images

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The Sands Brothers
The Sands Brothers, c. 1940s an unknown artist
Dave Sands
Dave Sands, c. 1940s an unknown artist
George Sands
George Sands, c. 1940s an unknown artist
Russell Sands
Russell Sands, n.d. an unknown artist
Alfie Sands
Alfie Sands, c. 1940s an unknown artist
Clem Sands
Clem Sands, c. 1940s an unknown artist
Les Darcy, Australian Middleweight Boxer
Les Darcy, Australian Middleweight Boxer, c. 1910 an unknown artist
Dave Sands on the cover of Sports Novels, March 1950
Dave Sands on the cover of Sports Novels, March 1950
Australian Aboriginal Cricketers, 1867
Australian Aboriginal Cricketers, 1867
Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title
Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title, 1968 (printed 2008) Mervyn Bishop. © Mervyn Bishop
10 images
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Related information

Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title
Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title
Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title
Lionel Rose, World Champion Bantam Weight Boxer before departing to the USA to defend his title

The champs

Magazine article by Dr Christopher Chapman, 2008

Two lively portrait photographs reflect the agility of their subjects: world champion Australian sportsmen Lionel Rose and Anthony Mundine.
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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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