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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 Look

Previous exhibition
from Saturday 14 September 2019 until Sunday 9 February 2020
Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown, 2008 Adam Knott. © Adam Knott

Featuring striking photographic portraits of contemporary figures from the National Portrait Gallery collection, The Look is an aesthetic treat with a lashing of je ne sais quoi.

68 portraits in the exhibition
view all

Tilman Ruff
Ian Thorpe
Grazia Gunn
Hetti
Cathy Freeman
Steve Kilbey
1 Tilman Ruff, 2019 Nikki Toole. © Nikki Toole. 2 Ian Thorpe, 1998 (printed 2019) Brett Canét-Gibson. © Brett Canét-Gibson. 3 Grazia Gunn, 2014 Jacqueline Mitelman. © Jacqueline Mitelman. 4 Hetti, 1990 (printed 2013) Michael Riley. © Michael Riley/Copyright Agency, 2024. 5 Cathy Freeman, 1994 (printed 2010) Bill McAuley. © Bill McAuley. 6 Steve Kilbey, 1981 (printed 2018) Gary Ede. © Gary Ede.

Related people

Dr Sarah Engledow (curator)

The Look tour dates

Originally shown at the National Portrait Gallery
Saturday 14th September 2019 until Sunday 9th February 2020

Geelong Gallery

Saturday 7th March until Tuesday 17th March 2020

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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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