In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than fifty portraits drawn from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The exhibition is a flowery arrangement of socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, and politicians, unified by their accompanying floral markers – from a tapestry of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch in her much-loved garden to a photograph of Margaret Olley among her flower still-life paintings.
Australian Tapestry Workshop, Merrill Dumbrell (weaver), Christopher Pyett (photographer) and Normana Wight (computer treatment), Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, 2000, warp: cotton No.12 seinetwine; weft: wool and cotton, 144.8 × 120.4cm (overall). Commissioned with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2000. © Australian Tapestry Workshop. Courtesy the artists, Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne and National Portrait Gallery, Australian Capital Territory
National Portrait Gallery
31 May 2025 to 19 April 2026
Australian Capital Territory
