Exhibition: National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 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. Now in its 15^th year, the prize is one of the National Portrait Gallery’s most popular annual events, and travels to select venues across Australia.

The winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize for 2022 is Silent Strength by Wayne Quilliam (below).

In making their decision, the judging panel – award-winning press photographer Nick Moir together with Sandra Bruce, the National Portrait Gallery’s Director of Collection and Exhibitions and Associate Curator Rebecca Ray – said Quilliam’s portrait was a work of immense power and beauty; “Everything about this portrait is exceptional. The composition, the contrast, the richness of the colours in the ochres and feathers, and also the sense of pride the subject is portraying – all of these layers and details carry such power in connecting the subject and his story with the audience.”

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022 is a National Portrait Gallery exhibition, supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.’ From YRRM website.

Photograph above: Goldheart, 2021 by Scott A. Andrews

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Victoria. Until 3 September 2023.