© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Arcadia
Sound of the sea
Previous exhibition, 2014
An exhibition of photographs by John Witzig, drawings by Nicholas Harding and film footage by Albe Falzon, expressive of the free-spirited, hot-blooded energy of Australian surfers under the cloud of conscription to Vietnam.
Headspace 2
Previous exhibition, 2001
A dynamic young people's art exhibition, Hearts/Heads: Headspace II explored portraiture, produced by students from year 7 to year 12
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe
Shirley Purdie
Previous exhibition, 2020
Using ochres collected on her country in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, Shirley Purdie’s self-portrait is a kaleidoscope of traditional Gija stories and Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) passed down to her.
Ryan Presley: Paradise won
Current exhibition
Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley's site-specific commission Paradise won is prominently positioned at the Gallery’s entrance. This ambitious new work invites conversations about the ongoing legacies of colonisation and celebrates First Nations survival and autonomy.
Some Lads
In Gallery Four
Current exhibition
The Some Lads series powerfully and playfully depicts Russell Page, Larrakia man Gary Lang, Muruwari man Matthew Doyle, and Graham Blanco, a descendant of the Mer (Murray Island) people.
Gulgawarnigu
Thinking of something, someone
Previous exhibition, 2023
In partnership with Big hART we are proud to present Gulgawarnigu - Thinking of something, someone, a national presentation of digital artworks created from Ngarluma country leramagadu (Roebourne), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Australia's Creative Diaspora
Photographed by Nathalie Latham
Previous exhibition, 2007
Paris based Australian photographer and filmmaker Nathalie Latham has an ongoing interest in the creative achievements of other Australian artists living in various locations around the globe.
National Youth Self Portrait Prize
NYSPP 2008
Previous exhibition, 2008
At the end of 2007 the National Portrait Gallery launched the inaugural National Youth Self Portrait Prize and artists aged between eighteen and twenty-five were invited to submit self portraits using a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking and traditional or digital photography.
Masters of modern Indonesian portraiture
Previous exhibition, 2014
Masters of modern Indonesian portraiture presents key modernist paintings and drawings along with a selection of contemporary works.
National Youth Self Portrait Prize
NYSPP 2010
Previous exhibition, 2010
An annual event, the National Youth Self Portrait Prize seeks to encourage young people to embrace self portraiture and its expressive possibilities.
Pub Rock
Your backstage pass to 70s and 80s sounds and scenes
Previous exhibition, 2020
Celebrate the people, places and sounds of Australian pub rock and its enduring impact on our nation’s identity.
Headspace 6
Who Am I?
Previous exhibition, 2005
The sixth in the National Portrait Gallery’s series of student exhibitions, will feature 200 portrait artworks, both two and three-dimensional, from secondary school students from across Australia
Between Light and Shadow
Portraits by Stuart Campbell
Previous exhibition, 2011
The late Australian photographer Stuart Campbell produced superb photographs of Australian actors of stage and screen.
Mysterious eyes
Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945
Previous exhibition, 2016
Boyd’s self-portrait at age 25 is joined by his equally emotive portraits of those around him.
All that fall
Sacrifice, life and loss in the First World War
Previous exhibition, 2015
Focussing on the wide-ranging theme of loss and absence, this exhibition provides a moving ‘portrait’ of loss during the First World War on the Australian home front. Powerful symbolic images, including contemporary works, evoke the emotional intensity of loss. All that fall: Sacrifice, life and loss in the First World War is the National Portrait Gallery’s contribution to the Anzac Centenary.
Glossy - Faces Magazines Now
Previous exhibition, 1999
Magazines are the portrait galleries of the 90s... Glossy is about magazines. The exhibition presents the work of eight photographers, Australian by birth or long-term residency, who are producing portraits for publication in magazines around the world.