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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.

Collection: Icons

Volume One

When a portrait communicates determination and individuality as boldly as these do, it has the potential to become an iconic image. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.

More information on Collection: Icons

Selected images

8 images
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Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley, 2008 Petrina Hicks. © Commonwealth of Australia
Lee Lin Chin
Lee Lin Chin, 2004 (printed 2021) George Fetting. © George Fetting/Copyright Agency, 2024
The Dance - David McAllister
The Dance - David McAllister, 2016 Peter Brew-Bevan. © Peter Brew-Bevan
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe, 2002 James Houston. © James Houston
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman, 1995 Montalbetti + Campbell. © Montalbetti & Campbell
Kurt Fearnley
Kurt Fearnley, 2012 Adam Knott. © Adam Knott
Dan Sultan
Dan Sultan, 2011 Martin Philbey. © Martin Philbey
Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti, 2015 Georges Antoni. © Georges Antoni
8 images
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Related information

Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso

Shop Talk

Magazine article by Stephen Phillips, 2016

Angus and the arbiters talk (photo) shop for the National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe

Collection: Icons

Volume Two

Previous exhibition, 2018

The second instalment of a display featuring bold contemporary portraits drawn from the collection. For the Gallery’s 20th birthday this display brings together a group contemporary photographic portraits of inspiring women and men.
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol
Maryan, 2010 by Rod McNicol

Life and time

Portraits by Rod McNicol

Previous exhibition, 2015

Australian photographer Rod McNicol has consistently analysed the passing of time through the evidence of the photographic portrait. At once confronting and tender, McNicol’s portrait photographs are bold and intimate. 
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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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