The Look (group exhibition)

Geelong Gallery will present a powerful new exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery – The Look. The first venue on a national tour, and the only Victorian destination, the exhibition consists of 68 portraits that provide a comprehensive line-up of identities and styles. It features subjects from all walks of Australian life; young, old; Indigenous, non-Indigenous; women and men; household names, and people who may be completely unknown to many.

Bryan Brown, 2008 by Adam Knott. Collection: National Portrait Gallery.
Bryan Brown, 2008 by Adam Knott. Collection: National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery (NPG) Curator, Joanna Gilmour explains that The Look highlights some of the most striking contemporary photographic portraits in the NPG collection.“The guiding curatorial principle for The Look has been to celebrate a diverse group of sitters who are united in owning and rocking their distinct ‘Look’.”

Megan Gale, 2002 by Ellen Dahl. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Megan Gale, 2002 by Ellen Dahl. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

The works span five decades, from the George Spartels early 1970’s portrait by Ivan Gaal to Tilman Ruff 2019 by Nikki Toole, and include works by photographers Adam Knott, Julian Kingma, Michael Riley, Petrina Hicks, Tracey Moffatt, David Rosetzky, Ingvar Kenne, Andrew Maccoll, and many others. Famous faces in the exhibition include; Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Carla Zampatti, Bryan Brown, Lee Lin Chin, Megan Gale, Cate Blanchett, Rachel Griffiths, Ian Thorpe and Layne Beachley just to name a few.

Entry prices apply: Adult $11 | Concession $9 | Members $8 | Child $6 | Family $28

Noni Hazlehurst, 1977 (printed 2011) by Lorrie Graham. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Noni Hazlehurst, 1977 (printed 2011) by Lorrie Graham. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

May

Melbourne: Until March 2027. Rehearsing the City presents archival photographs from Victoria’s government collections, alongside new work by contemporary street photographers.

June

Sydney: Until 7 Feb 2027. From his archive of more than 200,000 images, Close Up celebrates the historic moments and pivotal people he famously captured.

Brisbane: until 18 October 2026. Known affectionately as the ‘Cool Cat of journalism’ Wayne moved effortlessly among the greats, between the media and community, treating every encounter as part of his day’s work behind the lens.

July

Melbourne: Until 30 September 2026. Melbourne photographer Stefanie Wendler-Canning is inviting visitors to see one of the garden's most familiar flowers from an entirely different perspective in her new exhibition.

August

Melbourne: Until 15 November 2026. This exhibition will present the most comprehensive survey of the work of the eminent Hungarian-born, French photographer Brassaï yet to be seen in Australia.

Sydney: Until 13 September 2026. Devotion is an ongoing series by Sly Morikawa documenting Sanja Matsuri, the annual Shinto festival held in Tokyo’s Asakusa district.

Brisbane: Until 1 November 2026. The finalist exhibition of the 2026 Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards brings together striking photographic works that capture the city’s spirit — from familiar streets and riverside scenes to the fleeting moments, routines and characters that make Brisbane feel like home.

Sydney: 24 August 2026 – 18 July 2027. Featuring almost 200 images and original prints personally selected by Dupain for magazine and book publishers, the exhibition reveals the extraordinary breadth of his work.

Sydney: Until 13 September 2026. Olive Cotton is one of Australia's great modern photographers. For the first time, her workd is being exhibited alongside photographs by some of the most celebrated figures in international photography, including Ilse Bing, Dora Marr and Lucia Moholy.

Sydney: Until 13 September. 'Once upon a time...' invites you on a journey through diverse narrative worlds. The exhibition brings together a curated collection of works from 13 exceptional contemporary photographers – showcasing premier Australian and international talent.