© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist
‘My aunty migrated to Australia from Thailand when I was born. When this portrait was taken she was the last surviving member of her generation in my immediate family, an important figure who helped forge and sustain a relationship with our cultural legacy. This image was captured the evening she experienced a debilitating fall, one of many similar medical scares in the preceding months which relayed how delicate this portal to my heritage is. Insisting she bathe herself independently after this incident, her resilience in this vulnerable state captures the strength and intimacy of the bonds which have shaped my sense of cultural pride and belonging.’
Nathan Beard is a multidisciplinary artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. His work draws from his Australian-Thai heritage and explores family history, archives and broad signifiers of ‘Thainess’ to expose the porous influences which shape the commercial and historical production of culture.
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.
Serena Bentley talks to In Bloom artists Nathan Beard, Pamela See and Angela Tiatia about their fascination for florals.
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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