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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.

Walkabout, 2025

Michael Cook

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist

pigment photographic print (frame: 125.1cm x 164.0cm depth 6.1cm)
Walkabout, 2025

‘In the past, “walkabout” meant journeying on foot, expanding knowledge for future generations. In this image, my long-term friend/model/muse Joey Gala crosses Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, wearing Gucci head to toe (albeit barefoot: connected to Country). Since I began making art in 2010, Joey’s persona and image have been integral to my work. This photographic portrait places Joey at the heart of Japan’s commercial district, memorialising aspects of Japanese culture, and continues my exploration of the contradictions and eccentricities of identity. We identify and are conditioned by experience. Joey’s will also inform those to come, creating a stronger future.’

Michael Cook is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based contemporary photographic artist of Bidjara heritage. Over the last decade, Cook has produced works that interrogate the legacy of colonisation and invite the viewer to experience roles in reversal and histories re-written.

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)

Blak & Bare
Between us
Kanjdjihkanjdji Madjinbardi Kukabo (Down by the River at Madjinbardi)
Rashida, EBONY

Other NPPP photos from Michael Cook
(More information)

Individuation - Persona, 2024 Michael Cook
2025 Finalist

Related information

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.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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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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