Natalie Imbruglia (b. 1975), singer-songwriter, appeared in several television commercials before joining the television soap Neighbours. She moved to London in 1996, began writing songs and signed a record contract with RCA in 1997. Her first album, Left of the Middle, was released that year and has since sold more than six million copies worldwide. The single ‘Torn’ topped the UK charts for nine weeks and earned Imbruglia a string of awards, including Best Song at the MTV Europe Music Awards. She has also received two Brit Awards, six ARIAs, and been nominated for three Grammys. Her second album, White Lilies Island, was released in late 2001 and the hit ‘Counting Down the Days’ in 2005; by 2007 she was in a position to release Glorious: The Singles 1997–2007. Meanwhile, from 2002 to 2007 she was the radiant ‘face’ of French cosmetics giant l’Oréal. A British citizen since 2013, Imbruglia lives in London; her most recent album is Male (2015), comprising covers of hits originally sung by men.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2001
© Polly Borland
The portrait is of the singer and actor Natalie Imbruglia, by the photographer Polly Borland. This colour photograph was taken in 1999 and measures 49cm tall, by 39cm wide. The portrait is surrounded by a thick white border approximately 10cm wide, and a narrow timber frame. The portrait is of Natalie’s face and neck, with a vibrant blue background visible in its upper and lower corners.
The portrait crops off the tip of Natalie’s head, sides of her hair, and below her collarbones. Natalie’s eyes and lips are in sharp focus, while the edges of her face, hair, and neck are blurred.
Natalie’s short black hair frames her face, covering her ears, but for the lower lobes, and flicking out where it ends at the nape of her neck. From a slightly off-centre part, her fringe sweeps across to her right temple, except for a thick strand which has escaped and almost touches the inner point of her right eyebrow. Her eyebrows are fine, dark curves that angle gently upwards from their inner points, then arc down at their outer edges.
Natalie’s huge, wide eyes look away from the camera, towards her right. Natalie’s irises are dazzling sky blue, similar in colour to the portrait’s background. Natalie’s upper eyelids are full, and her eyes are ringed by long, feathery, dark lashes.
The contours of Natalie’s nose are visible and her high cheekbones are subtly defined by a tinge of pink. Her skin is pale, creamy, and flawless, and it appears very little makeup has been applied to it, her eyes, or lips. Natalie’s wide, full lips are closed with a faint upwards turn at their corners. Her upper lip is shaped like a Cupid’s bow, while light reflects off the glossy lower lip, accentuating its volume.
Natalie’s barely perceptible smile causes a tiny crease at the left edge of her mouth, while her small chin, and heart shaped jaw are smooth. Her neck and clothing; a pale blue garment with a round neckline, are out of focus.
Audio description written by Lucinda Shawcross and voiced by Rory Walker
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Polly Borland talks to Oliver Giles about the celebrity portraits that made her name and why she’s now making more abstract art.
Australian photographer, Polly Borland, describes the hectic experience of photographing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
