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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

David Howell, Actor, Sydney, Australia, 2026

Ingvar Kenne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist

pigment photographic print (image: 80.0cm x 80.0cm. frame: 103.6cm x 103.6cm)
David Howell, Actor, Sydney, Australia, 2026

‘This portrait was taken in David’s basement, putting his last load of washing through before going off to Perth for some time and then onto London indefinitely. He had decided to give acting his all. David’s portrait is part of my larger ongoing project, CITIZEN, spanning 30 years and 60+ countries, using the same strict parameters while taking portraits in arbitrary moments and often random encounters.’

Swedish-born photographer Ingvar Kenne is based on Gadigal Land in Sydney. His portraits, all of which adhere to the square composition of medium-format film, carry an immediacy and candidness that enables the individuality of each subject to emerge.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

The People’s Choice Award is generously supported by the Calvert-Jones Foundation, with the artist who wins the most votes receiving $10,000.

Voting closes Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Submit vote

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026
(More information, View all 30 photos)

Chú Tễu (Uncle Tễu)
Passed out on the grass
On the chair
Holding space

Other NPPP photos from Ingvar Kenne
(More information)

Yvonne Alexander, Bar Maid, Sydney, 2022 Ingvar Kenne
2022 Finalist
Sarker Protick, Artist, Sydney, Australia, 2018 by Ingvar Kenne
2019 Finalist
Alexis Wright
2010 Finalist
Brad 'Gaggsy' Gallagher at a Bachelor and Spinsters Ball, Tooradin, Victoria, 2016 by Ingvar Kenne
2017 Finalist

Related information

Cormac + Callum Kenne, My Children, Sydney, Australia, 2009
Cormac + Callum Kenne, My Children, Sydney, Australia, 2009
Cormac + Callum Kenne, My Children, Sydney, Australia, 2009
Cormac + Callum Kenne, My Children, Sydney, Australia, 2009

Citizen Kenne

Magazine article by April Thompson, 2013

April Thompson explores an exhibition of Ingvar Kenne’s global portrait project.
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

Upcoming exhibition

from Saturday 22 August

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 marks the end of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions.
Names not known by Ingvar Kenne
Names not known by Ingvar Kenne
Names not known by Ingvar Kenne
Names not known by Ingvar Kenne

Ingvar Kenne

Citizen

Previous exhibition, 2012

Swedish-born Australian photographer, Ingvar Kenne, captures both individuality and shared human experience in his ongoing portrait project Citizen.
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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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