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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.

Langi, 2024

Mary-Lou Orliyarli Divilli

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

pigment photographic print on paper (image: 55.8cm x 80.0cm. sheet: 60.0cm x 80.0cm. frame: 63.0cm x 83.0cm)
Langi, 2024

‘This is a very special place for me and my family at the river Langi. Being on Country means reconnecting with nature and its healing powers. My Country and family are recurring subjects in my work. The child in the picture is Violet, my niece, who is about to throw the net. Children learn from the age of five how to handle a fishing net. The picture is a representation of belonging to Country and Violet personifies the pride that goes with belonging, skills, knowing about your heritage and living within your culture.’

Nyikina, Yawuru, Ngul Ngul and Ngarinyin photographer Mary-Lou Orliyarli Divilli was born in Derby, Western Australia. She is inspired by older generations and their depth of cultural knowledge expressed through stories and traditional song.

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)

Diamond in the sky
Individuation - Persona
Blue Tongue
William Barton x Yidaki

Related information

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.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

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