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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.

Self Portrait, 2009

by Torben Sko

Self Portrait, 2009

Combining art and technology this work challenges the nature of portraiture and the way we view it. Embracing the theme of replication, the piece uses a computer game engine to present a vivid virtual version of the National Portrait Gallery inhabited by a three-dimensional incarnation of the artist. Developed specifically for this work, the system uses binary as brushstrokes which not only enables rich, realistic visuals but also enables it breaks free from traditional art by incorporating movement and even behaviour into the piece. Using facial tracking the scene responds to the presence of the viewer. Self Portrait takes on the physical behaviour of the viewer, encouraging them to explore, interact and inhabit the work. It is a self portrait that invites the viewer to look at themselves.

NYSPP 2010

National Youth Self Portrait Prize

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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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