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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.

Mother dreams on a stone, 2024

Sherry Quiambao

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 First Time Finalist Award

pigment photographic print on paper (image: 71.3cm x 107.6cm. sheet: 74.0cm x 112.0cm. frame: 75.1cm x 115.0cm)
Mother dreams on a stone, 2024

‘This work explores themes of renewal, identity and belonging. Wrapped in a golden emergency blanket and resting on a tumbled stone, my mother represents strength and adaptability, finding hope through her migration story. The golden blanket, a symbol of safety and care, contrasts with the grounding presence of the stone. Together, they reflect the tension between aspiration, humility, fragility and resilience. My practice explores the in-betweenness of identity, honouring my mother’s experience while encouraging viewers to reflect on their own connections to migration, home and the longing for belonging.’

Sherry Quiambao is an Australian-Filipino multidisciplinary artist based in Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia. Quiambao’s practice draws from personal and cultural narratives to question material culture and its role in shaping belonging and self-image.

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)

Antonio Intili - Sartoria (Tailor Shop) #1
Thelma Plum
Anna (Home for a Time)
John at Richie's

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.
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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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