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.
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2015 Finalist
Oi Chan was born into a poor rural family in China. As a daughter, her arrival was met with much disapproval. Her mother told her they considered killing her, but her father thought she was so sweet they couldn’t go through with it. She was allowed to live but never felt she had the right to a life of her own. Oi started working aged five and went on to become a valued member of her village. Migrating to Australia in the 1970s, Oi raised a vibrant family here. She still only speaks a little English, but what a survivor!
Rod and Jack on the series of portraits they created together.
Echoing 19th-century photography, Rod McNicol's portraits give us a chance to look quietly at the human condition.
Christopher Chapman discusses Rod McNicol's photographic portrait series Newcomers to my village.
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