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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.

Magick Maali, 2025

The Huxleys

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

pigment photographic print on paper (image: 118.8cm x 83.7cm. sheet: 120.0cm x 85.0cm. frame: 123.1cm x 88.1cm)
Magick Maali, 2025

‘Black Swan Theory originates from Europeans believing only white swans existed until they “visited” Western Australia in 1697, shocked to discover something so rare and beautiful as a Black Swan. The denial of the Maali/Black Swan serves as a greater metaphor for the failure of Europeans to acknowledge the beauty and sovereignty of First Nations peoples and their connection to this land, and the denial of queer people throughout history. This portrait is a tribute to WA, where Will grew up, and honours Garrett’s First Nations heritage, two queer swans floating in the romantic haze of a disco-enthused lake.’

Will Huxley and Garrett Huxley are Naarm/Melbourne-based collaborative performance and visual artists. The Huxleys’ performances traverse the classifications of costume, film and recording in what they describe as a visual assault of sparkle, surrealism and the absurd.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

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 Sunday 28 September 2025.

Submit vote

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025
(More information, View all 48 photos)

You cannot leave it behind, for it will follow you
Bather
Zev and Nick
FAGGOT MAGIC BONFIRE

Other NPPP photos from The Huxleys
(More information)

Derek, 2022 The Huxleys
2023 Finalist
Where Have All The Flowers Gone, 2021 The Huxleys
2022 Finalist

Related information

The Huxleys

'Things are changing, which is really beautiful'

Portrait story

Will and Garrett on creating their costumes and being unconstrained in art and performance.
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

Current exhibition

from Saturday 16 August

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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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