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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.

Portrait 51

Summer 2015–16

This issue feature articles on Andrew Sayers, Gordon Darling, our summer exhibition Sideshow Alley and more. Portrait 51 is also published on issuu.com

Self Portrait with sun damage, 2014 by Andrew Sayers.
Self Portrait with sun damage, 2014 by Andrew Sayers.
Self Portrait with sun damage, 2014 by Andrew Sayers.

At easel

by Tim Bonyhady

Tim Bonyhady recalls his experience as sitter for his close friend and former National Portrait Gallery Director, the late Andrew Sayers.

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

The Dissecting Room

by Joanna Gilmour

Joanna Gilmour accounts for Australia’s deliciously ghoulish nineteenth century criminal portraiture. 

Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask
Ned Kelly death mask

Getting a head

by Alexandra Roginski

Alexandra Roginski gets a feel for phrenology’s fundamentals.

Chang the Chinese giant and party
Chang the Chinese giant and party
Chang the Chinese giant and party

The portrait writ large

by Karen Vickery

Karen Vickery on Chang the Chinese giant in Australia.

Bed piece, 1972 by Chris Burden
Bed piece, 1972 by Chris Burden
Bed piece, 1972 by Chris Burden

The boy, the bed and the gun

by Dr Christopher Chapman

Christopher Chapman contemplates the provocative performance art of Chris Burden. 

Commander Skyring, Gang-gang cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
Commander Skyring, Gang-gang cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
Commander Skyring, Gang-gang cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys

A real tweet

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Sarah Engledow plays wingman to Leila Jeffreys.

Peter Wilmoth, age 12, with copies of Our World 1974 Courtesy of the author
Peter Wilmoth, age 12, with copies of Our World 1974 Courtesy of the author
Peter Wilmoth, age 12, with copies of Our World 1974 Courtesy of the author

Paper, boy

by Peter Wilmoth

Peter Wilmoth’s boy-journalist toolkit for antagonising an Australian political giant.

Dr Edward MacMahon, 1959 by William Dobell
Dr Edward MacMahon, 1959 by William Dobell
Dr Edward MacMahon, 1959 by William Dobell

Bill and Ted's excellent portrait.

by Dr Sarah Engledow

Sarah Engledow on Messrs Dobell and MacMahon and the art of friendship.

ORA - Homesickness Project 2015 by Chrys Zantis
ORA - Homesickness Project 2015 by Chrys Zantis
ORA - Homesickness Project 2015 by Chrys Zantis

Food for thought

by Michael Wardell

Michael Wardell on Chrys Zantis’ Ora.

Recollections of a sinologist sitter

by Professor Stephen FitzGerald AO

Professor Stephen Fitzgerald, Australia’s first Ambassador to China, traces the historical course from sino-australian cultural engagement to a maturing Australian identity.

Jessie Street
Jessie Street
Jessie Street

Australia’s great internationalists

by Penelope Grist

Penelope Grist explores the United Nations stories in the Gallery’s collection.

Gordon Darling Hall
Gordon Darling Hall
Gordon Darling Hall

Portrait of the Gallery

by Graeme Dix

A design diary retrospective.

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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.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

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