Describe how these two friends are sitting.

Emily Crockford has used bold colours, shapes and patterns to paint an expressive portrait of best friends Gabrielle Mordy and Emma Johnston. What shapes can you see on their clothing? Which colours stand out the most? Lines and stripes of colour create a decorative background for the pair. Where do you think they could be?

If you were to make an artwork of you and your best friend, where would you be and how would you pose?

Move your face near to someone you are visiting the exhibition with. What happens to your eyes as you get up close?

Anh Do wanted to replicate that feeling of closeness and distortion of vision in his depiction of singer and activist Peter Garrett. He has painted the larger-than-life portrait with bold and expressive strokes of paint, and created a sense of movement, blurring and double-vision by duplicating parts of Peter’s head. Peter’s eyes stare out at us with intensity and passion.

Move around the room. Can you escape Peter’s penetrating gaze?

What emotions do you feel when it rains for days and days?

Blak Douglas has painted artist Karla Dickens standing in muddy floodwaters in Lismore, NSW, caused by lots of rain. Look at Karla’s expression. How do you think she feels? Stand closer to the artwork and look up and across the canvas. How many sections of shiny paint drips can you spot? What do they remind you of? Notice how the flat-bottomed clouds and gradations of grey paint from dark to light create the illusion of depth and perspective in the sky.

How deep do you think the water behind Karla is? What lies beneath it?

What animals can you spot on this decorative kimono?

Yoshio Honjo has painted television and radio presenter Yumi Stynes as a female samurai. Yumi holds a traditional Japanese weapon called a naginata in one hand. She holds up the palm of her other, as if keeping something or someone back. Who could she be protecting?

Imagine yourself as a strong warrior. What facial expression would you have? Try it out on your friends or family and watch their reaction.

What is your favourite story or book?

Katherine Hattam has used bold colours, words and collaged paper in her striking portrait of Helen Garner, a writer she knows and admires. Pages from some of Helen’s books are used to frame the edges of the kitchen window nook, and Katherine has drawn and written over them to highlight different themes and ideas. Decorative teacups and objects are placed on the table where Helen appears relaxed, enjoying her refreshing cuppa. Brightly coloured chickens can be seen through the curved window behind her.

How many chickens can you see in the artwork?

Do you enjoy dancing or singing?

This portrait by Kim Leutwyler depicts Shane Jenek as well as Shane’s stage persona Courtney Act. As Courtney, Shane wears vibrant costumes, dazzling make-up and incredible wigs for his performances, but as Shane his style is more subdued. Here, the two of them appear separate, yet intertwined. Look at their arms and how they weave into each other. Can you see where one persona ends and the other starts?

How many portraits can you find where the person is shown more than once?

Look closely at the outlines of these two versions of John Yu. Are they the same?

The portrait on the right is painted as if it is John’s silhouette or shadow. It is filled with a Chinese landscape of fishing villages and islands to symbolise John’s passion for collecting Asian art. Notice the details of the trees at the bottom and the zigzagging shape of the water through the landscape. Spot the twinkling little lights on the fishing boats and the glow from the windows of the homes in the villages.

Imagine who might live in the villages. What do you think they are doing?

Look closely at the detail and bold colours in this portrait.

Kathrin Longhurst has painted arts worker Midori Goto using strong colours in this large life-like portrait. Midori is passionate about speaking up for women and how they are treated and represented. She is not afraid to speak her mind. She stares out at us, full of strength and power. The scale of her face adds to our sense of awe, as we feel small in comparison. The snakes on her tattoo appear as brave and feisty as she is, and her face is painted in fine detail – we can even see the delicate hairs of her eyelashes and eyebrows.

What objects can you see on Midori’s necklace?

Describe the surface of this colourful portrait.

Fashion designer Anna Plunkett lies on a patterned couch. We have a birds-eye view of her surrounded by flowers, hearts and romantic words. Anna’s clothing designs often feature glittery and glimmering fabric, so artist Meagan Pelham has used jewel-like colours and intricate shapes inspired by Anna’s fashion line. Meagan absolutely loves owls and has included them in this portrait.

How many owls and hearts can you count?

Look closely at this portrait then look from further away. Which viewpoint do you prefer?

Laura Tingle is a journalist who is known for her fearlessness when asking politicians tough questions. James Powditch has portrayed her against a dark background with book pages collaged and layered across her face. Delicate leaves and flowers appear to form the shape of her neck and body. The pages and plants give us a glimpse of Laura’s hobbies and interests, which include writing and her garden.

Something has caught Laura’s attention beyond the edges of the canvas. What do you think it could be?

Notice the textures and patterns on these solar panels.

The two panels frame inventor and engineer Saul Griffith. They appear like open window shutters to reveal Saul looking at us, full of determination. Jude Rae has painted him holding a vivid orange power cable and standing in an equally vivid Australian landscape. Notice how the flecks and dabs of orange paint used throughout the middle panel highlight the different textures and surfaces and create light and energy. Saul wants to change how we think about and use renewable energy to help our planet now and for future generations.

What ways do you know to help protect our environment?

What do you care very much about?

Joan Ross is passionate about nature. She creates art that makes us think about our impact on wildlife and the environment. Here Joan has portrayed herself as a woman from long ago with curled ringlets in her hair. She hugs a tree stump as a message to us to respect and look after our environment. Look closely at the detail in the landscape behind her. Observe how the transparent layers of the artwork create shadows and details on the gallery wall.

What animals and wildlife can you spot behind Joan?

What sort of physical activities do you enjoy doing?

Forensic scientist Cherrone Ellis loves doing taekwondo, so Ross Townsend has painted her performing a jumping side kick. Notice the detail in the folds and creases of Cherrone’s outfit and how similar colours are used in the background to create a sense of calm and overall harmony. Despite the action of her jump, she appears still and suspended, as if frozen in air.

Look closely. What part of Cherrone gives away that she is moving? How high off the ground do you think she is?

Look closely at the hands of Taika Waititi in this portrait.

Taika’s hands are full of playful expression, gesturing as if he is sizing you, the viewer, up. Perhaps you have suddenly startled him, or you are about to act out a scene in one of his movies and he is directing you. What do you think? Notice the red and green outlines around Taika, and how they create the illusion of blurred movement. This technique has been used to make images look three-dimensional when viewed through glasses with red and green lenses.

Copy Taika’s pose and move your hands and body to try out some new playful poses.

What is your favourite sport?

Dylan Alcott has had an amazing career as a wheelchair tennis and basketball player, representing Australia in both sports. In January 2022, he was named Australian of the Year and this portrait by Felix von Dallwitz portrays him in a grand and imposing way – fitting for such a high achiever. The dark background and clothing serve as a striking contrast to the light tones and colours of his face and hands, so we focus on them and what they express about Dylan.

What do you think Dylan is thinking about as he stares out at you?