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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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Unmasked - Bob Gordon, 2022

Brett Canét-Gibson

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022 Finalist

digital print on paper (frame: 113.0cm x 81.9cm depth 4.0cm)

The tears of a clown trope seems light-hearted at first when it's done in KISS make-up, but it speaks of the heartbreak that has set in for the music industry as it battles against the ravages of the COVID-19 era and the lack of government support around it. The brave face begins to fade after a while but there is a necessity to find other ways for the show to go on, even as broken dreams seem to inhabit every highway.

Portrait of music journalist Bob Gordon. Made with natural light and a portable backdrop on his Fremantle balcony.

Courtesy of the artist

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Other NPPP photos from Brett Canét-Gibson

Trevor Jamieson
2017 Finalist
Bodie, 2017 by Brett Canet-Gibson
2018 Finalist
Mastura, 2016 by Brett Canet-Gibson
2017 Highly Commended
Tiffany, 2015 by Brett Canet-Gibson
2016 Finalist
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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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