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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.

Michael Riley's portraits

Portrait story

Linda Burney, Brenda Croft and Darrell Sibosado share memories of Michael Riley and his photographic practice.

Tracey

Sophisticated and glamorous

Magazine article by Amanda Rowell, 2015

Michael Riley’s early portraits by Amanda Rowell.

Hetti

Beauty and strength

Portraits by Michael Riley
Previous exhibition, 2014

Influential Indigenous Australian artist Michael Riley (1960 - 2004) created these portrait photographs between 1984 and 1990 - they stand as an intricately connected group portrait of the vibrant urban-based Indigenous arts community in Sydney's inner-west at a formative moment.

Kristina
Kristina
Kristina

Kristina, 1986 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Avril
Avril
Avril

Avril, 1986 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Tracey
Tracey
Tracey

Tracey, 1986 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Avril and Miya
Avril and Miya
Avril and Miya

Avril and Miya, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Dorothy
Dorothy
Dorothy

Dorothy, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Djon
Djon
Djon

Djon, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Delores
Delores
Delores

Delores, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Maria
Maria
Maria

Maria, 1986 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Telphia
Telphia
Telphia

Telphia, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Kristina
Kristina
Kristina

Kristina, 1984 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Linda and Binni
Linda and Binni
Linda and Binni

Linda and Binni, 1984 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Darrell
Darrell
Darrell

Darrell, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Hetti
Hetti
Hetti

Hetti, 1990 (printed 2013)

Michael Riley
Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency