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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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1/2 length self portrait in mirror, wearing pyjama shirt, camera at shoulder height, 1979 Carol Jerrems

Great Experimentations

Magazine article by Rebecca Harkins-Cross, 2025

Rebecca Harkins-Cross considers Carol Jerrems’ portraiture against the backdrop of social change in the 1970s.

Thom Roberts

Trains, Towers and Thom Roberts

Magazine article by Isobel Parker Philip, 2025

Isobel Parker Philip introduces artist Thom Roberts, whose distinctive portraits of people, buildings and personified trains define the world as he experiences it.

Part 14 of Untitled, 2023 Anu Kumar

if only we could take the time

Magazine article by Sonia Nair, 2025

Sonia Nair looks at Anu Kumar, whose portraiture practice preserves the intimate, in-between moments of her hometown in India.

Venus, 2022 Jordan Richardson, Archibald Prize 2022 finalist

We Were There

Magazine article by Benjamin Law, 2025

Preserving stories, subverting power and posing nude: Benjamin Law explores the potency and persuasiveness of portraiture.

Shopping for butterfly, 2013 Joan Ross

Sucker Punch

Magazine article by Coby Edgar, 2025

Coby Edgar reflects on the artist Joan Ross, whose practice probes the ongoing consequences of colonisation, climate change and consumerism in Australia.

Gallery One salon hang

Conversation pieces

Magazine article by Dr Emma Kindred, 2025

Curator Emma Kindred shares a glimpse of the creative process behind her selection of works for the National Portrait Gallery’s salon hang.

Some lads #1

In Profile

Magazine article by Daniel Browning, 2025

Daniel Browning delves into Tracey Moffatt’s Some lads series, recently acquired in full by the National Portrait Gallery.

Richard Tognetti #1510

Now and Then

Richard Tognetti

Magazine article, 2025

Spanning 30 years, these portraits capture a life in music. Violinist, conductor and composer Richard Tognetti AO is Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

a most beautiful experiment, 2024 wani toaishara

Why portraiture?

Magazine article by wani toaishara, 2025

wani toaishara reflects on his experiences, process and motivation for making portraits.

Portrait 72

Portrait 72

Thom Roberts reveals the stories behind some of his portraits, Rebecca Harkins-Cross on Carol Jerrems, and Daniel Browning reflects on Tracey Moffatt’s 1986 series Some lads.

Ryan Presley in front of his artwork Paradise won

Ryan Presley

In conversation

Magazine article by April Phillips, 2024

April Phillips (Wiradjuri-Scottish, kalari/galari) yarns with Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley about portraiture, resilience and the spirit held within fire.

Tara Gower and Baden Hitchcock, Chicago, 2019 Lisa Tomasetti

Stillness in movement

Magazine article by Tara James, 2024

Tara James shares the joy of dance and its power to connect in the National Portrait Gallery’s touring exhibition Dancer.

I’ll miss you copying things, 2018 Joan Ross

When birds no longer sing

Magazine article by Dr Emma Kindred, 2024

Emma Kindred looks at the career of Joan Ross, whose work subverts colonial imagery and its legacy with the clash of fluorescent yellow.

Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - Tree Woman / Woman Tree

Between life and death you’re a miracle

Magazine article by Elspeth Pitt, 2024

Elspeth Pitt talks to multidisciplinary artist Nell about ghosts, artistic lineages and hybrid art forms.

kith and kin, 2024 Archie Moore

kith and kin

Magazine article by Ellie Buttrose, 2024

Ellie Buttrose reveals the web of connection behind Kamilaroi/Bigambul artist Archie Moore’s kith and kin, which won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Biennale 2024.

Portrait of Behrouz Boochani #1

Embodiment of resistance

Magazine article by Behrouz Boochani, 2024

Kurdish-Iranian writer and filmmaker Behrouz Boochani on his portrait by Hoda Afshar, recently acquired by the National Portrait Gallery.

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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