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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.

Frog Hunter, Damien Wurrkidj, 2011

by Matthew Abbott

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2012 Finalist

Frog Hunter, Damien Wurrkidj, 2011

I have spent the last three years photographing in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Late one afternoon on a walk around Injalak billabong at Gunbalanya, I came across Damien with his friends hunting frogs. They had ingeniously contrived a blowpipe and darts from a hose and other bits and pieces. According to Damien, frogs make the best bait for catching catfish. I like this portrait because it exemplifies the independence Aboriginal kids have and their skill at hunting using whatever's at hand.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2012
(More information, View all 44 photos)

Jeffrey Smart, Tuscany, June 8
The 70 year old jetty jumper
Lady Flo
Mel

Other NPPP photos from Matthew Abbott
(More information)

Bushwalk, 2021 Matthew Abbott
2022 Finalist
Heath 2015 by Matthew Abbott
2016 Finalist
Joel, Mitchell Queensland, 2014 by Matthew Abbott
2015 Finalist

Related information

Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011 by George Mifsud
Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011 by George Mifsud
Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011 by George Mifsud
Emmanuel at bedtime, 2011 by George Mifsud

To startle the eye

Magazine article by Joanna Gilmour, 2012

National Photographic Portrait Prize judge Joanna Gilmour previews the 2012 exhibition.
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2012

Previous exhibition, 2012

The National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition is selected from a national field of entries that reflect the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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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