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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Children and animals dominant in 2016 National Photographic Portrait Prize

A PERTH photographer’s semi- choreographic vision of youthful innocence has won the $ 25,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize it was announced this morning by the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Angus Trumble.

Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker
Life Dancers, 2015 by Elizabeth Looker
Liz Looker at the exhibition
Liz Looker at the exhibition

The artist, Elizabeth Looker, once a dancer herself, has, in “Life dancers, 2015,” portrayed her niece aloft a tree, resembling a dancer, with her young son at the tree’s base. Looker told “Citynews” today that she and her artist husband were focussing on giving their children a life of freedom and creativity and this photograph reflected that aim, depicting pure innocence.

“I see in Aimee Grace and Innes things easily forgotten with age and time, which I am reminded of and urged to hang on to: true freedom and effortless movement, play and humour, empathy, compassion and kindness, all of which flow from within them, and constantly remind me of what is important. “

"Asha" by Sean Davey
“Asha” by Sean Davey

ACT photographer Sean Davey was awarded Highly Commended for his portrait titled “Asha”, a portrait of Asha Sarma resting on top of North Brother Mountain in Dunbogan, New South Wales and wins a CG277 screen valued at $3,800, provided by Eizo.

Matthew Newton “On Albatross Island”
Matthew Newton “On Albatross Island”

For the first time the Gallery also announced the winner of the Art Handler’s Award – Matthew Newton for his portrait “On Albatross Island”. Supported by International Art Services   Fine Art Logistics, Newton receives $1,000 cash and will have his work returned to him by IAS at no charge upon the completion of the tour.

It was curious, Trumble said, how this year’s shortlisted photographs were generally softer and more optimistic than some in the past, admitting that as a member of the team of judges, he suspect that which also comprised, that the “sunny side” of his own personality had come to bear on the decision.

"Soft and Sophia," by Freya Paley
“Soft and Sophia,” by Freya Paley

This year’s focus is firmly on children and animals. There are children at play, children dressed up, children posed in family portraits, most are revealed in a natural, candid way, while those portraits featuring animals tend to look at the relationship between human beings and their furry friends.

Looker’s winning work was selected from 2,000 entries nation-wide and will be on display with 48 other finalists at the National Portrait Gallery until June 26.

The public voting open for  $2,500 People’s Choice Award online at portrait.gov.au/peoples choice and go into the draw to win two nights’ accommodation at Canberra’s Crowne Plaza, breakfast and dinner for two, a $100 voucher to The Curatorial and a VIP tour of the Gallery’s permanent collection.

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Helen Musa

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