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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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National Photographic Portrait Prize 2015

Previous exhibition
from Saturday 21 March until Monday 8 June 2015
Portrait of Ali, 2014 by Hoda Afshar
Portrait of Ali, 2014 by Hoda Afshar

The National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects. The winner for 2015 is

Portrait of Ali by Hoda Afshar

National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Dr Christopher Chapman said that the portrait was a unanimous choice for the judging panel. ‘The portrait is poignant for its intimation of this boy’s future – likely as a shepherd. The photographer has captured a powerful sense of mystery that adds to the compelling nature of the portrait – the boy, standing calmly within the rocky, misty setting.’

Barry & Alkirra – The House in Carrington by Katherine Williams was highly commended.

Feather and the Goddess Pool by Natalie Grono received the People’s Choice Award.

Judges Dr Christopher Chapman, Senior Curator, Angus Trumble, Director, and photographer Nikki Toole selected the finalists from over 2,500 entries. Many of the 44 portraits selected for this year’s exhibition flicker with complex emotional registers. Outwardly bold, they suggest inner reflection. Surety is based upon serenity. Innocence is deepened by a flash of self-awareness. In the evening air, in space, self-hood is quietly energised.

44 NPPP 2015 portraits

1 Barry & Alkirra – The House in Carrington, 2014 by Katherine Williams. 2 Feather and the Goddess Pool, 2014 by Natalie Grono. 3 The Dame, 2014 by Brock Elbank. 4 Jezeril II, 2014 by Douglas Gibson. 5 Beau & Leon, 2014 by David Rosendale. 6 Matilda after the match, 2014 by Andrew Merry.

Related people

Dr Christopher Chapman (curator)

Angus Trumble (curator)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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