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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.

The People

Trending, topical, in our thoughts.

Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO
Featuring a favourite painting, Fred Williams ‘Wild Dog Creek’ 1977
Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO
Featuring a favourite painting, Fred Williams ‘Wild Dog Creek’ 1977
Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO
Featuring a favourite painting, Fred Williams ‘Wild Dog Creek’ 1977

Marc Besen AC

1923 – 2023

Marcus (Marc) Besen AC (1923–2023), philanthropist and arts benefactor, founded the Besen Family Foundation with his wife Eva Besen AO.

Dressing for dinner
Dressing for dinner
Dressing for dinner

The Hon. Bill Hayden AC

1933 – 2023

The Hon Bill Hayden AC (1933‒2023) was Governor-General of Australia from 1989 to 1996 and Leader of the Opposition from 1977 to 1983.

Ron Barassi
Ron Barassi
Ron Barassi

Ron Barassi AM

1936 – 2023

Ron Barassi AM (1936‒2023) is among the most celebrated individuals in the history of Australian Rules football.

Barry Humphries
Barry Humphries
Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries

1934 – 2023

Barry Humphries AO CBE (1934–2023), actor, writer and artist, was the world's all-time most successful solo theatrical performer.

Charles Perkins on bus to Tranby Aboriginal College, Glebe, c. 1964 (printed 2015) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023
Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke, c. 1976 (printed 2017) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023
Bruce Beresford on location, c. 1981 (printed 2004) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2023
Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, River Kwai, Thailand, c. 1987 (printed 2003) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2022

Robert McFarlane

1942 – 2023

Robert McFarlane (1942–2023), photographer, was born in Glenelg, South Australia.

Kevin Weldon
Kevin Weldon
Kevin Weldon

Kevin Weldon AM

1933 – 2023

Kevin Weldon (1933-2023), businessman and philanthropist, spent his early years in Ingham in far north Queensland, where his father ran a car dealership.

Kunmanara (Ngilan) Dodd
Kunmanara (Ngilan) Dodd
Kunmanara (Ngilan) Dodd

Kunmanara (Ngilan) Dodd

1946 – 2023

Sir James Hardy
Sir James Hardy
Sir James Hardy

Sir James Hardy OBE

1932 – 2023

Sir James Hardy OBE (1932-2023) was a wine industry executive, yachtsman and community leader.

Robert Edwards
Robert Edwards
Robert Edwards

Dr Robert (Bob) Edwards AO

1930 – 2023

Dr Robert (Bob) Edwards AO (1930-2023) made a remarkable contribution to the cultural sector in Australia.

William - Aspendale
William - Aspendale
William - Aspendale

William Mora

1953 – 2023

William Mora (1953–2023), art dealer and gallerist, was the eldest son of artist Mirka Mora and restauranteur and gallery owner Georges Mora.

Discussion between Bob Hawke and Yunupingu, Burunga Festival, Northern Territory
Discussion between Bob Hawke and Yunupingu, Burunga Festival, Northern Territory
Discussion between Bob Hawke and Yunupingu, Burunga Festival, Northern Territory

Yunupingu AM

1948 – 2023

Yunupiŋu (1948–2023), revered senior ceremonial Yolŋu man of the Gumatj clan from North-East Arnhem Land, fought tirelessly for the rights and recognition of Yolŋu and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people alike.

Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin
Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin
Clifton Pugh and John Olsen, Dunmoochin

John Olsen AO CBE

1928 – 2023

John Olsen AO OBE (1928–2023), painter, was one of the major figures in 20th-century Australian art.

Bruce Petty
Bruce Petty
Bruce Petty

Bruce Petty

1929 – 2023

Bruce Petty (1929-2023), political cartoonist, grew up in Melbourne and as a young man took night classes in art at RMIT.

HM Queen Elizabeth II
HM Queen Elizabeth II
HM Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

1926 – 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who subsequently became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles

Jack Charles

1943 – 2022

Jack Charles (1943–2022) was a revered Wiradjuri, Boon Warrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta Elder, activist, actor, musician and artist.

Archie Roach
Archie Roach
Archie Roach

Archie Roach AC

1956 – 2022

Archie Roach AC (1956–2022), singer/songwriter and storyteller, has been described as the voice of the Stolen Generations.

Wesley Stacey

1941 – 2023

Wesley Stacey (1941–2023), photographer, was an apprentice silk screener and studied drawing and design at East Sydney Technical College in the early 1960s before working as a graphic designer and photographer in Sydney and London.

Richard Woldendorp, Perth, WA
Richard Woldendorp, Perth, WA
Richard Woldendorp, Perth, WA

Richard Woldendorp AM

1927 – 2023

© National Portrait Gallery 2023
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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.

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.

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