‘Looking Out, Looking In’
Exploring the Self-Portrait
Mar 2023 -
Aug 2023
![An installation view from ‘Looking Out, Looking In’ featuring Davida Allen's Mother swinging her baby 1989 / © Davida Allen and Vincent Namatjira's Albert and Vincent 2014 / © Vincent Namatjira/Copyright Agency, QAG, March 2023 / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA](/index.php/system/files/styles/wide/private/2023-04/QAG_LookingOutLookingIn_installationview_20230328_jruckli_035.jpg?itok=_BXlQKQS)
‘Looking Out, Looking In: Exploring the Self-Portrait’ explores the complex and fascinating subject of the self-portrait. Works by Australian and international artists, from the past to the present, display a wide range of approaches. While some artists look inwards to reflect on themselves in self-effacing ways, others seek to project a more flamboyant image.
Drawing on QAGOMA’s rich and diverse Collection, the exhibition was devised against the backdrop of contemporary ‘selfie’ culture. We have become increasingly attuned to the self-image through social media and reality TV, providing a context in which to examine the enduring human interest in the self. The exhibition includes artworks that reflect our times, as well as earlier examples of the genre. Seen together, they reveal significant cultural shifts and universal themes.
'Looking Out, Looking In' was on display in QAG's Gallery 4 from 11 March to 6 August 2023.
An installation view from ‘Looking Out, Looking In’ featuring Davida Allen's Mother swinging her baby 1989 / © Davida Allen and Vincent Namatjira's Albert and Vincent 2014 / © Vincent Namatjira/Copyright Agency, QAG, March 2023 / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA
Collection artworks featured in ‘Looking Out, Looking In’
![QAGOMA Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1936-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1-0245_001_7.jpg?itok=jhVlHMGm)
Self portrait 1936
- HAYSOM, Melville - Creator
![Artwork Doublonnage (Marcel) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper bonded to aluminium, created in 1988-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1989.170_002_4.jpg?itok=YtHCgbUb)
Doublonnage (Marcel) 1988
- MORIMURA, Yasumasa - Creator
![Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1938-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1-0294_001_7.jpg?itok=CbtPK_1x)
Self portrait c.1940
- ROWELL, Will - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Self portrait (from 'The Bicentennial folio') 1987
- ARNOLD, Ray - Printer
- KOZIC, Maria - Artist
![Laith McGregor Artwork Maturing this artwork made of Single-channel video projection (DVD): 30 minutes, colour, silent, created in 2008-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.169_001_still_3.jpg?itok=WeANJGaA)
Maturing 2008
- McGREGOR, Laith - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Art make-up 1967-68
- NAUMAN, Bruce - Creator
![Cindy Sherman Artwork Untitled #129 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1983-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1991.109_001_4.jpg?itok=zRlmnH3d)
Untitled #129 1983
- SHERMAN, Cindy - Creator
![© Jenny Watson Artwork Sleeping in New York this artwork made of Oil, pigment, plastic pearls and buttons on canvas, created in 1991-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1992.105_001_7.jpg?itok=fUQQ0Jr3)
Sleeping in New York 1991
- WATSON, Jenny - Creator
![© Justine Cooper Artwork Rapt this artwork made of Videotape: 5 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 1998-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1999.031_001_filmstill_4.jpg?itok=PGK5FULq)
Rapt 1998
- COOPER, Justine - Creator
![©Heather Dorrough/Copyright Agency Artwork Self portrait no. 26 this artwork made of Silk organza screen printed with a photographic image of the artist and applied with hexagonal patchwork pieces and coloured threads, created in 1982-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1984.015_001_0.jpg?itok=YKLcaEjp)
Self portrait no. 26 1982
- DORROUGH, Heather - Creator
![© Courtesy the artist and Darren Knight Gallery Artwork SO HAPPY 2 b in yr photo this artwork made of Oil on panel, created in 2014-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2020.236_001_6.jpg?itok=3f44B_E5)
SO HAPPY 2 b in yr photo 2014
- HART, Tyza - Creator
![© Courtesy the artist and Darren Knight Gallery Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Oil on panel, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2020.237_001_5.jpg?itok=KUAYh7NK)
Untitled 2015
- HART, Tyza - Creator
![©Marjorie Fletcher/Copyright Agency Artwork Self-torso this artwork made of Bronze, created in 1934-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2005.011_001_5.jpg?itok=g61PDyIE)
Self-torso 1934, cast 1992
- FLETCHER, Marjorie - Creator
![© Hollie Artwork Self portrait (standing nude) this artwork made of Charcoal on paper, created in 1998-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1998.069_23-1.jpg?itok=-oMQE1Gi)
Self portrait (standing nude) 1998
- HOLLIE - Creator
![© Davida Allen Artwork Mother swinging her baby this artwork made of Oil on marine plywood, created in 1989-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2020.230a-b_001_4.jpg?itok=XGGzxqcM)
Mother swinging her baby 1989
- ALLEN, Davida - Creator
![© Vincent Namatjira/Copyright Agency Artwork Albert and Vincent this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2014-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2015.011_001_1.jpg?itok=JDjj9HvO)
Albert and Vincent 2014
- NAMATJIRA, Vincent - Creator
![Madonna Staunton Artwork They say this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.332_001_3.jpg?itok=anTlFQPh)
They say 2010
- STAUNTON, Madonna - Creator
![Madonna Staunton Artwork No one said this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.331_001_3.jpg?itok=5IK9dYeP)
No one said 2010
- STAUNTON, Madonna - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork Venus #7 this artwork made of Giclée print using Ultrachrome ink on Ilford white film on paper, created in 2007-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2009.052_001_3.jpg?itok=t9N9EodJ)
Venus #7 2007
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Tracey Moffat Artwork Something More #1 this artwork made of Direct positive colour photograph on paper, created in 1989-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1992.115_001_5.jpg?itok=Ijhfvl52)
Something More #1 1989
- MOFFATT, Tracey - Creator
![Yasumasa Morimura Artwork Blinded by the light this artwork made of Type C photograph with surface varnish on paper on plywood in gold frame, created in 1991-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1996.127a-i_002_composite_0.jpg?itok=4whjvl8w)
Blinded by the light 1991
- MORIMURA, Yasumasa - Creator
![© Cindy Sherman Artwork Madame de Pompadour née Poisson (1721-1764) this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain modelled after a Sèvres original, with Rose Pompadour ground colour, silver details and transferred photograph. Interior of tureen transfer printed, created in 1989-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1990.430a-c_001_1.jpg?itok=LZcw4kfN)
Madame de Pompadour née Poisson (1721-1764) 1989
- SHERMAN, Cindy - Photographer
- ANCIENNE MANUFACTURE ROYALE (LIMOGES) - Manufacturer
![Cindy Sherman Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Colour photograph mounted on aluminium, created in 2007-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.084_002_4.jpg?itok=wZ7n8JBN)
Untitled 2007/2008
- SHERMAN, Cindy - Creator
![©Alice Blanch Chehovski/Copyright Agency Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Watercolour, pastel and pit on paper, created in 1969-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1985.023_001_5.jpg?itok=kZS1Zqi1)
Self portrait 1969
- CHEHOVSKI, Alice Blanch - Creator
![Benita Clements/Copyright Agency Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on watercolour paper, created in 2016-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.429_001_0.jpg?itok=SkI9yTDo)
Self portrait 2016
- CLEMENTS, Benita - Creator
![Lou Klepac Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Oil on canvas laid on board, created in 1938-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.080_001_3.jpg?itok=5RjZ-oPe)
Self portrait 1938
- HEYSEN, Nora - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Self portrait 1932
- MELDRUM, Max - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1956-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1-0779_002_8.jpg?itok=05T9VRZI)
Self portrait 1956
- MOLVIG, Jon - Creator
![Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1775-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1-0541_002_6.jpg?itok=MDDpUAlr)
Self portrait c.1780
- OPIE, John - Creator
![QAGOMA Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Pen and brown ink on cream wove paper on cardboard, created in 1948-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2-0250_001_9.jpg?itok=ftvF5nPI)
Self portrait 1948
- KAHAN, Louis - Creator
![© Madonna Staunton Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Ink on paper, created in 1978-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2015.068_23-1.jpg?itok=JTzNcmK_)
Self portrait c.1980
- STAUNTON, Madonna - Creator
![© Madonna Staunton Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Ink on paper, created in 1978-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2015.069_23-1_0.jpg?itok=ociS-M1e)
Self portrait c.1980
- STAUNTON, Madonna - Creator
![© Madonna Staunton Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Ink on paper, created in 1978-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2015.070_23-1_0.jpg?itok=OQZY0pSh)
Self portrait c.1980
- STAUNTON, Madonna - Creator
Related digital stories
![Justine Cooper / Australia b.1968 / Rapt (still) 1998 / Videotape: 5 minutes, colour, stereo / The James C. Sourris AM Collection. Purchased 1999 with funds from James C. Sourris through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: QAGOMA / © Justine Cooper An MRI view of a body, viewed in a 'slice' from above.](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1999.031_002_mono%2C%20detail.jpg?itok=51EE7q0g)
Digital Story Introduction
LOOKING OUT, LOOKING INESSAY: 'Exploring the self-portrait'
Read digital story![Chatchai Puipia / Thailand, b.1964 / Siamese smile: Siamese intellectual (from 'Siamese smile' series) 1995 / Oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas / 202 x 303cm / Purchased 1996. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Accession No: 1996.218 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Chatchai Puipia A painting of a huge-scale male-appearing head set amongst lotus flowers, with a ladder leaning against the person's eyebrow.](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/2023-03/1996.218_001%28crop%29_AM.jpg?itok=hbnxauQ9)