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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.

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Dee Tang and Desmond Sweeney, 2021

Elizabeth Looker

inkjet print on paper

This portrait was taken in the Tang and Sweeney family’s kitchen, designed intentionally with a dance floor in the centre of the room.

‘I am Dee, creative and mother to three souls – my earth children Rafa Rose and Beau Sunray and angel child Kawa Leaf. We are in the thick of a standard post-dinner carnage where an impromptu moment of slow dancing with my husband is accompanied by small clinging hands and dodging toys. I feel freedom in movement. Moving to the beat of my heart.’
Dee Tang

‘Nowadays I dance to entertain my kids. There is no other time in my life when I feel so uninhibited and free to be ridiculous.’
Desmond Sweeney


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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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