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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.

Artists and Collectives

Artists and Collectives

Atong Atem standing behind a wooden table and next to a large leafy green plant
Atong Atem standing behind a wooden table and next to a large leafy green plant
Atong Atem standing behind a wooden table and next to a large leafy green plant
Atong Atem standing behind a wooden table and next to a large leafy green plant

Atong Atem

Atong Atem is an Ethiopian-born, South Sudanese artist and writer living in Narrm/Melbourne. Her work explores migrant narratives and postcolonial practices in the African diaspora.
Kaylene Whiskey in her studio, raising her arms in the air in celebration, next to a life size cutout of wonder woman and an artwork in progress
Kaylene Whiskey in her studio, raising her arms in the air in celebration, next to a life size cutout of wonder woman and an artwork in progress
Kaylene Whiskey in her studio, raising her arms in the air in celebration, next to a life size cutout of wonder woman and an artwork in progress
Kaylene Whiskey in her studio, raising her arms in the air in celebration, next to a life size cutout of wonder woman and an artwork in progress

Kaylene Whiskey

Kaylene Whiskey is a Yankunytjatjara artist based in Indulkana on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia known for her unique visual universe that playfully combines Aṉangu cultural references with pop culture.
Dylan Mooney sitting on a chair in front of a wall with paintings and drawings
Dylan Mooney sitting on a chair in front of a wall with paintings and drawings
Dylan Mooney sitting on a chair in front of a wall with paintings and drawings
Dylan Mooney sitting on a chair in front of a wall with paintings and drawings

Dylan Mooney

Dylan Mooney, a proud Yuwi man from Mackay, Queensland, based in Meanjin/Brisbane, works across painting, printmaking, digital illustration and drawing, visually translating stories of resilience, survival, connection and love.
Abdul Abdullah in his studio with large windows overlooking a suburban street
Abdul Abdullah in his studio with large windows overlooking a suburban street
Abdul Abdullah in his studio with large windows overlooking a suburban street
Abdul Abdullah in his studio with large windows overlooking a suburban street

Abdul Abdullah

Abdul Abdullah, a multi-disciplinary artist identifying as a Muslim and with both Malay/Indonesian and convict/settler Australian heritage, explores concepts of the ‘other’ in his highly distinctive practice based on Gadigal Country.
Amrita Hepi standing in front of a dressing room mirror surrounded by lights
Amrita Hepi standing in front of a dressing room mirror surrounded by lights
Amrita Hepi standing in front of a dressing room mirror surrounded by lights
Amrita Hepi standing in front of a dressing room mirror surrounded by lights

Amrita Hepi

Bundjulung/Ngapuhi woman Amrita Hepi’s work considers the body’s relationship to personal histories and archive, and investigates dance as social function.
Naomi Hobson standing next to a wooden table and metal sink in her studio
Naomi Hobson standing next to a wooden table and metal sink in her studio
Naomi Hobson standing next to a wooden table and metal sink in her studio
Naomi Hobson standing next to a wooden table and metal sink in her studio

Naomi Hobson

Multidisciplinary artist Naomi Hobson, of the Kaantju language group and Patta skin group, after the Death Adder snake, lives and works on Country in Coen, Cape York Peninsula addressing powerful links between Country and identity.
Angelica Mesiti in profile wearing a white linen shirt in front of a dark leafy hedge
Angelica Mesiti in profile wearing a white linen shirt in front of a dark leafy hedge
Angelica Mesiti in profile wearing a white linen shirt in front of a dark leafy hedge
Angelica Mesiti in profile wearing a white linen shirt in front of a dark leafy hedge

Angelica Mesiti

Internationally renowned, Paris-based artist Angelica Mesiti creates video installations that are absorbing and profound experiences for audiences.
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio

Alison Alder

One of Australia’s preeminent printmakers, Alison Alder explores social and political issues through her art practice from her studio in Mongarlowe on Yuin Country.
Sally Smart standing in her wooden floored studio holding a puppet
Sally Smart standing in her wooden floored studio holding a puppet
Sally Smart standing in her wooden floored studio holding a puppet
Sally Smart standing in her wooden floored studio holding a puppet

Sally Smart

Based in Naarm/Melbourne, Sally Smart is known nationally and internationally for her large-scale cut-out assemblages, collages, textile works and puppetry.
Mia Boe standing on striped rugs on a concrete floor, in a room with scattered paintings around the walls
Mia Boe standing on striped rugs on a concrete floor, in a room with scattered paintings around the walls
Mia Boe standing on striped rugs on a concrete floor, in a room with scattered paintings around the walls
Mia Boe standing on striped rugs on a concrete floor, in a room with scattered paintings around the walls

Mia Boe

Mia Boe is a Narrm/Melbourne-based artist known for her haunting and evocative painting practice, informed by her Butchulla and Burmese ancestry.
Latai Taumoepeau holding a blanket to her body while standing on the platform at a train station
Latai Taumoepeau holding a blanket to her body while standing on the platform at a train station
Latai Taumoepeau holding a blanket to her body while standing on the platform at a train station
Latai Taumoepeau holding a blanket to her body while standing on the platform at a train station

Latai Taumoepeau

Latai Taumoepeau, based on Gadigal Country, makes live-art-work drawing her faivā (temporal practice) from her homelands, the Island Kingdom of Tonga, centres Tongan philosophies to make visible the impact of climate crisis in the Pacific.
Julie Gough sitting in the back of a red vehicle while holding binoculars, with sheep grazing in a field in the background
Julie Gough sitting in the back of a red vehicle while holding binoculars, with sheep grazing in a field in the background
Julie Gough sitting in the back of a red vehicle while holding binoculars, with sheep grazing in a field in the background
Julie Gough sitting in the back of a red vehicle while holding binoculars, with sheep grazing in a field in the background

Julie Gough

Artist, curator and writer Julie Gough, Trawlwoolway through her maternal family, recover and re-presents unsettling and conflicting histories in Lutruwita/Tasmania, where her traditional homeland is Tebrikunna, in the north-east.
Fiona McMonagle standing in her studio with paint splatters on the white walls
Fiona McMonagle standing in her studio with paint splatters on the white walls
Fiona McMonagle standing in her studio with paint splatters on the white walls
Fiona McMonagle standing in her studio with paint splatters on the white walls

Fiona McMonagle

Irish-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Fiona McMonagle pushes the limits of watercolour portraiture to address women’s experiences.
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks

Arts Project Australia

Arts Project Australia is a creative social enterprise based in Naarm/Melbourne that supports neurodiverse artists, promoting their work and advocating for inclusion within contemporary arts practice.
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures

Yarrenyty Arltere Artists

A not-for-profit Aboriginal owned and run art centre, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists in Mparntwe/Alice Springs are known for their unique and distinctive soft sculptures that reveal stories and experiences of life in their community.
Vipoo Srivilasa smiling while making a
Vipoo Srivilasa smiling while making a
Vipoo Srivilasa smiling while making a
Vipoo Srivilasa smiling while making a

Vipoo Srivilasa

Vipoo Srivilasa is a Thai-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based artist, ceramicist and arts activist often exploring cross-cultural and migration experiences.
Two people at a bench covered in sheets of paper in a room with a wooden floor and a large brown couch
Two people at a bench covered in sheets of paper in a room with a wooden floor and a large brown couch
Two people at a bench covered in sheets of paper in a room with a wooden floor and a large brown couch
Two people at a bench covered in sheets of paper in a room with a wooden floor and a large brown couch

Kate Beynon

Born in Hong Kong, Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Kate Beynon builds from the cultural legacy of her familial ancestry and experience to envision hybrid personas, identities, worlds and mythologies.
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture

Nell

Nell is a multidisciplinary artist based on Gadigal land in the Eora Nation, Sydney. Her work fuses mythological, spiritual and popular cultural iconography.
Tarryn Gill standing in her studio next to a sculpture on a white plinth
Tarryn Gill standing in her studio next to a sculpture on a white plinth
Tarryn Gill standing in her studio next to a sculpture on a white plinth
Tarryn Gill standing in her studio next to a sculpture on a white plinth

Tarryn Gill

Tarryn Gill is a Boorloo/Perth-based multidisciplinary artist who works across the mediums of sculpture, installation, photography, film, drawing, set and costume design, and performance.
Baby Guerrilla standing behind a large artwork in a room with a wooden floor and a large window looking onto a leafy green garden
Baby Guerrilla standing behind a large artwork in a room with a wooden floor and a large window looking onto a leafy green garden
Baby Guerrilla standing behind a large artwork in a room with a wooden floor and a large window looking onto a leafy green garden
Baby Guerrilla standing behind a large artwork in a room with a wooden floor and a large window looking onto a leafy green garden

Baby Guerrilla

Baby Guerrilla is a street artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. Her exquisite large-scale drawings of figures made into paste-ups celebrate humanity.
Christopher Bassi standing in an empty office next to a large yellow painting
Christopher Bassi standing in an empty office next to a large yellow painting
Christopher Bassi standing in an empty office next to a large yellow painting
Christopher Bassi standing in an empty office next to a large yellow painting

Christopher Bassi

Known for his representational painting, Meriam and Yupungathi man Christopher Bassi, based in Meanjin/Brisbane, addresses issues surrounding cultural identity, alternative genealogies and colonial legacies.
Deborah Kelly sitting on a blue couch in a room with artworks on the walls
Deborah Kelly sitting on a blue couch in a room with artworks on the walls
Deborah Kelly sitting on a blue couch in a room with artworks on the walls
Deborah Kelly sitting on a blue couch in a room with artworks on the walls

Deborah Kelly

Deborah Kelly, based between Gadigal Country, Sydney and Jerrinja Country, Currarong, is known for her multi-disciplinary, exuberant and diverse participatory collages and costumes that come to life in workshops and performances.
Groups of four and three people on a theatre stage in front of a dark curtain
Groups of four and three people on a theatre stage in front of a dark curtain
Groups of four and three people on a theatre stage in front of a dark curtain
Groups of four and three people on a theatre stage in front of a dark curtain

stArts with D Performance Ensemble

Based in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and the Central Desert Region, stArts with D disability-led performance ensemble collaborates, creates, and presents original works celebrating identity, place and belonging.

Related information

Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo

Portrait23: Identity

Previous exhibition, 2023

Portraiture. Not as you know it. We invite you to stretch, push, resist and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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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.

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