Rock’s raw potency made it the ideal medium for fomenting protest. The 1970s, 80s and onwards saw calls for social and environmental justice ring out through song.
Eye to Eye is a summer Portrait Gallery Collection remix arranged by degree of eye contact – from turned away with eyes closed all the way through to right-back-at-you – as we explore artists’ and subjects’ choices around the direction of the gaze.
Commissioned with funds provided by Maliganis Edwards Johnson and Alan Dodge AM 2018
Martin Philbey’s portrait of Dan Sultan.
Courtesy of Kev Carmody, Song Cycles Pty Ltd.
Dr Anne Sanders previews the works in the new focus exhibition Paul Kelly and The Portraits.
Aspects of singer songwriter Paul Kelly’s performance persona are communicated by portraits selected from a range of artists and leading music photographers in this focus exhibition.
Commissioned with funds provided by Ian Darling 2013
Gift of the artist 2012
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2008
Ellen Kent examines the portrait of Vincent Lingiari and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam taken by photographer Mervyn Bishop.
Australia has become recognised for the range and talent of its musicians, composers, conductors and celebrities in general associated with the music industry
The story behind the creation of the portrait of singer-songwriter Paul Kelly by the artist Jon Campbell.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2004
Paul Kelly AO (b. 1955), singer/songwriter and producer, grew up in Adelaide and made his performing debut in Hobart in 1974.
4 portraits in the collection
Peter Hudson (b. 1950), is a landscape and portrait painter who lives and works in Maleny, Queensland.
5 portraits in the collection
