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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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Marilyn Monroe, 1972

Carol Jerrems

gelatin silver photograph on paper (image: 12.0cm x 18.0cm. sheet: 20.2cm x 25.4cm. frame: 43.2cm x 58.5cm)

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) was one of the most photographed individuals of her time, such that her image has become more a brand than a likeness. The Richard Avedon print, framed and hung on the wall in this photograph, is from 1967 and shows a disaffected Monroe, dazed after a long and taxing photo shoot. Several photographers have noted that Monroe would expertly perform during shoots but often collapse and retreat once they ended. It is telling that, in compiling photographs for A book about Australian women, Jerrems chose to include an image that does not feature an Australian woman, but highlights the performances that women are taught to put on for others.


National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Gift of Mrs Joy Jerrems 1981.
© The Estate of Carol Jerrems

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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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