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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.

The work of art

In Galleries Eight and Nine

It takes a village to raise a creative! Get an insight into the often-unseen work and supporters needed for the arts to thrive. The work of art documents the creative process, evoke states of creativity and inspiration, and shows us clues about the subject’s own work from the way artists portray them.

More information on The work of art

Portraits on display

67 images
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Self portrait
Self portrait, 1990 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2024
Collection display in Gallery 8, November 2022
Collection display in Gallery 8, November 2022
John Mawurndjul
John Mawurndjul, 2005 R. Ian Lloyd. © R Ian Lloyd/Copyright Agency, 2024
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap
Portrait of Kym Bonython/Portrait of Mr Bonython's speedway cap, 1963-1966 John Brack. © Helen Brack
A Portrait (Kate Hattam)
A Portrait (Kate Hattam), 1956 Clifton Pugh AO. © Shane Pugh
The Witching Hour - Elena Kats-Chernin
The Witching Hour - Elena Kats-Chernin, 2017 Wendy Sharpe. © Wendy Sharpe
Judy Davis with director John Duigan in 'Winter of our Dreams'
Judy Davis with director John Duigan in 'Winter of our Dreams', 1981 (printed 2017) Robert McFarlane. © Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024
John Tjakamarra
John Tjakamarra, 1974 (printed 2007) Jon Rhodes. © Jon Rhodes
Rayner Hoff
Rayner Hoff, 1924 Harold Cazneaux
Arthur Boyd - Bundanon Studio II
Arthur Boyd - Bundanon Studio II, 1993 Greg Weight. © Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2024
James Mollison
James Mollison, c. 1973 (printed 2004) Wesley Stacey. © Wesley Stacey
Ginger Riley at the Limmen River, Northern Territory
Ginger Riley at the Limmen River, Northern Territory, 1992 (printed 2013) Helga Leunig. © Helga Leunig
Dame Mary Gilmore
Dame Mary Gilmore, 1961 Max Dupain OBE. © Max Dupain/Copyright Agency, 2024
John Kaldor
John Kaldor, 1975 (printed 2002) Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Sue Walker
Sue Walker, 1977 Lewis Morley. © Lewis Morley Archive LLC
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land
David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land, 1981 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Patrick White, Castle Hill, Sydney
Patrick White, Castle Hill, Sydney, 1963 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Harry Seidler, Killara, Sydney
Harry Seidler, Killara, Sydney, 1984 (printed 2000) David Moore. © Lisa, Michael, Matthew and Joshua Moore
http://davidmoorephotography.com.au/
Barbara Blackman
Barbara Blackman, c. 1953 an unknown artist
Self portrait
Self portrait, 1937 Harold Cazneaux
Betty Churcher
Betty Churcher, 1994 Anne Zahalka. © Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2024
Noel Fraser Hickey
Noel Fraser Hickey, 1957 Nancy Menetrey. © Nancy Menetrey