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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.

Chaos 1 from series Negotiating the family portrait, 2017

by Marzena Wasikowska

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 Finalist

Chaos 1 from series Negotiating the family portrait, 2017

While photographing the family this year, I became acutely aware of the circumstances before a seemingly desirable photograph is taken – the chaotic events that precede the decisive moment. I shifted the exposure from the time at which everyone was composed in front of the camera to a moment during assembly for the portrait. On this occasion, the preliminary process involved children vying for my equipment and taking their own wonderful photographs; progress delayed; interest lost; and the testing of patience. The conclusion: the communal relief when we achieved personal dignity and common purpose.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018
(More information, View all 43 photos)

Mr Zee (Wet plate collodion image)
eX de Medici, artist
Engagement, 8
Yahir, waiting to live again

Other NPPP photos from Marzena Wasikowska
(More information)

A Covid kind of day, 2020 Marzena Wasikowska
2021 Finalist
Negotiating a family portrait-a study of history, myth and identity, 2015 Family, 2015 by Marzena Wasikowska
2016 Finalist
Negotiating a family portrait – a study of history, myth and identity, 2014 by Marzena Wasikowska
2015 Finalist
Jess, Danny and Mia, 2010 by Marzena Wasikowska
2011 Finalist

Related information

Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim
Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim
Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim
Mia Wasikowska as Robyn Davidson at Hamelin Pool, 2013 by Matt Nettheim

Hump days

Magazine article by Jessica Bolton, 2017

Jessica Bolton navigates the parallel tracks documenting Robyn Davidson’s astonishing journey.
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

Previous exhibition, 2018

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
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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