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The Pictorial collection of the National Library of Australia contains more than 500,000 items, making it one of the richest repositories of the nation's visual culture. Portraiture has been one of the cornerstones of that collection. Not collected for its artistic qualities, the portrait is sought for its documentary dimension, its revelation of the face and mind of an individual whose papers may already be in the Manuscript collection, whose voice may have been recorded by Oral History, whose published works may form a significant corpus with the Reference collection. It forms part of a record of national life and achievement. Despite this emphasis on 'likeness', this exhibition amply demonstrates that many works of outstanding artistic merit in all media have been acquired by the Library.
In this exhibition, the fourth at the National Portrait Gallery, we continue to explore the nature of portraiture in Australia and the concept of a National Portrait Gallery for this nation. In each exhibition we have tried to extend the definition of 'portrait' and the range of sitters a little further, beyond the traditional 'large oil painting of a (probably dead, probably male) famous person' notion of portraiture.
In the Picture: Creative Australians from the National Library's Portrait Collection features some of the many creative people who have shaped this nation's cultural life. From Henry Lawson to Kaz Cook, in paintings, sculptures and photographs, the exhibition offers a glimpse of the diversity and richness of that life. Each portrait is accompanied by an extended label covering a biographical outline of the life and career of both sitter and artist. Lovers of dance will enjoy the portraits of Graeme Murphy, Paul Mercurio and Marilyn Rowe. Portraits of Judy Davis, Fred Schepisi, Reg Livermore, Frank Thring and Deidre Rubinstein will delight theatre and film buffs.
As might be expected, the Library's collections are particularly rich in portraits of writers, and the exhibition includes portraits of Patrick White, Manning Clark, Dorothy Hewett and a magnificent bust of Adam Lindsay Gordon. Perhaps more unexpectedly, the Library holds a wonderful collection of portraits of visual artists, and those exhibited include Margaret Olley, Jeffrey Smart, Brett Whitely, Lloyd Rees and Fiona Foley.
A range of educational programs has been designed to complement and extend the exhibition for learners of all ages, from primary school children through to adult community groups. School holiday programs, Sunday morning floor talks by curators, critics and artists, and formal curriculum-based activities offer additional opportunities to engage with the works in an educational and enjoyable way.
This exhibition explores the Ali Baba's cave of the National Library's portrait collection, affording a tantalising glimpse of its treasures. In so doing, it establishes without doubt the Library's claim to manage a National Portrait Gallery for all Australians.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA, Canberra, ACT 2600,
AUSTRALIA, ABN: 28 346 858 075
Telephone + 61 2 6262 1111; Facsimile +61 2
6257 1703; TTY: 1800 026 372