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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.

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Portrait Artist of the Year

Magazine article by Rachel Hopkins, 2025

Rachel Hopkins goes behind the scenes of the new ABC competition series, Portrait Artist of the Year.

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

Shared affinities

Magazine article by Dr Emma Kindred and Isobel Parker Philip, 2025

Emma Kindred and Isobel Parker Philip tease out the uncanny parallels between artists John Brack and Noel McKenna.

Seeking affirmation of a mother

In profile

Magazine article by Serena Bentley, 2025

Serena Bentley talks to multidisciplinary artist Scotty So about drag, mother figures, holograms and the performative nature of identity.

Albert and Vincent

Together on Country

Magazine article by Dr Emma Kindred, 2025

Emma Kindred considers the artistic lineage and deep Ancestral connection between Vincent Namatjira and his great-grandfather Albert Namatjira.

Romance Was Born, Regional Australia, 2006, with Del Kathryn Barton

Portrait x Romance Was Born

Magazine article by Glynis Traill-Nash, 2025

Glynis Traill-Nash on Samuel Hodge’s portrait of Romance Was Born.

Performance still of Emily Hunt: The Grotto presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 26 June 2024 Photo © Art Gallery of NSW, Anna Kucera and Jenni Carter

In Profile

Magazine article by Isobel Parker Philip and Dr Emma Kindred, 2025

Isobel Parker Philip and Emma Kindred delve into Emily Hunt’s embellished marionettes and intricate etchings which layer history, memory and magic.

(Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being

(Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being

(Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being

(Rosaleen Norton) Chain of being, 2023-2024

Portrait, etching on paper

Gift of the artist 2025. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

(Leila Waddell) Chain of being

(Leila Waddell) Chain of being

(Leila Waddell) Chain of being

(Leila Waddell) Chain of being, 2023-2024

Portrait, etching on paper

Gift of the artist 2025. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Ryan Presley in front of his artwork Paradise won

Ryan Presley

In conversation

Magazine article by April Phillips, 2024

April Phillips (Wiradjuri-Scottish, kalari/galari) yarns with Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley about portraiture, resilience and the spirit held within fire.

I’ll miss you copying things, 2018 Joan Ross

When birds no longer sing

Magazine article by Dr Emma Kindred, 2024

Emma Kindred looks at the career of Joan Ross, whose work subverts colonial imagery and its legacy with the clash of fluorescent yellow.

Overstepping, 2001 Julie Rrap

Julie Rrap

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2024

Feminism, risktaking and the politics of looking: Joanna Gilmour steps into the world of Julie Rrap.

Map of public transport near the National Portrait gallery

Public Transport

Transport Canberra bus routes run from the various city centres past the Gallery on a regular basis.

William Nuttall with horses in field

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

Previous exhibition, 2024

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Dr Alison Inglis, AM, 2023 Dena Kahan

School portraits

About Face article

Inga Walton sheds light on a portraiture collection usually only seen by students and teachers at Melbourne University.

Miriam Vale Merlo Coffee Shop, 2023 Peter Hughes

Miriam Vale Merlo Coffee Shop

Self portrait on washcloth, 2024 Nena Salobir

Self portrait on washcloth

© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
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