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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.

Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith)
Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith)
Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith)

Mum Shirl (Mrs Shirley Smith), 1988

Juno Gemes
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

© Shirley Purdie/Copyright Agency, 2020

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.

Shirley Purdie

Contributing artists

Born: 1947, Gilbun – Mabel Downs Station, WA
Works: Warmun, WA

Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard part 1

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1976

Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard part 2

In their own words
In their own words

Recorded 1976

My life la Gilbun, 2020 Shirley Purdie

My life la Gilbun, 2020

Shirley Purdie
Image
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe
Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe, 2018

Shirley Purdie
Portrait, natural ochre and pigments on canvas (36 parts)

Purchased 2019

Shirley Hazzard
Shirley Hazzard
Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard, 1980 (printed 2011)

Lorrie Graham
Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011

Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe

Storied portrait

About Face article

Emily Casey takes in Shirley Purdie’s remarkable self-portrait, Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe.

A Police Magistrate [Evelyn Pitfield Shirley Sturt]
A Police Magistrate [Evelyn Pitfield Shirley Sturt]
A Police Magistrate [Evelyn Pitfield Shirley Sturt]

A Police Magistrate [Evelyn Pitfield Shirley Sturt], 1874

Tom Durkin, The Weekly Times
Portrait, lithograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2018

The painter transmogrified and Mrs Smith
The painter transmogrified and Mrs Smith
The painter transmogrified and Mrs Smith

The painter transmogrified and Mrs Smith, 1973

Eric Smith
Portrait, oil on canvas laid down on masonite

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the Estate of Eric Smith 2019

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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