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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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Andy Thomas

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling

Previous exhibition, 2015

This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.

Barry Humphries

Uncommon Australians

The vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling

General content

Sarah Engledow writes about Gordon and Marilyn Darling and their support for the National Portrait Gallery throughout its evolution.

Gordon and Marilyn Darling interview

General content

Gordon and Marilyn Darling talk about the origins of the National Portrait Gallery and some of their favourite portraits.

Marilyn Monroe, 1972 Carol Jerrems

Marilyn Monroe

Stable Scene with Shane Dye

Shane Dye

Shane Dye (b. 1966), jockey, was born in Matamata, New Zealand, and served his apprenticeship in New Zealand before coming to Australia in 1985.

2 portraits in the collection

Untitled from The Other Shore 2014-15, by Wei Leng Tay

Insight and identity

Magazine article by Olivier Krischer, 2016

Olivier Krischer in conversation with photographer Wei Leng Tay.

Stable Scene with Shane Dye

Stable Scene with Shane Dye

Stable Scene with Shane Dye

Stable Scene with Shane Dye, 2000

Portrait, oil on canvas

Gift of the artist 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Catherine in black silk gown, 2014 by Chris Budgeon

Catherine in black silk gown, 2014

by Chris Budgeon

Dr HV Evatt, Albert Namatjira and Dame Mary Gilmore having a meal

Dr HV Evatt, Albert Namatjira and Dame Mary Gilmore having a meal

Dr HV Evatt, Albert Namatjira and Dame Mary Gilmore having a meal

Dr HV Evatt, Albert Namatjira and Dame Mary Gilmore having a meal, c. 1950s

an unknown artist

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2008

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001

Gabrielle Martin

Portrait, pencil on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2001

Anne Boyd

Anne Boyd AM

Anne Boyd AM (b. 1946), composer and teacher, was born in Sydney and studied composition with Peter Sculthorpe at the University of Sydney before earning a PhD at the University of York.

1 portrait in the collection

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001

Gabrielle Martin

Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2001

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO

Preparatory study for General Eva Burrows AC AO, 2001

Gabrielle Martin

Portrait, charcoal and pastel on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2001

Barry Jones

Barry Jones

Barry Jones

Barry Jones, 2020

Portrait, oil on masonite

Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC, Allan Myers AC KC and Maria Myers AC 2022

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Captain Charles Ulm

Uncommon Australians

Towards an Australian Portrait Gallery

Touring exhibition, 1992

In 1988 philanthropists Gordon and Marilyn Darling decided to make an Australian portrait gallery a reality, overseeing the development of the 1992 touring exhibition Uncommon Australians.

Anne Boyd

Anne Boyd

Anne Boyd

Anne Boyd, 1977

Portrait, type C photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

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Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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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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