A PHOTO of a lone farmer immersed in a dust storm has won the “Living Memory: National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021”, it was announced today (July 30) at The National Portrait Gallery in an event live-streamed around Australia.

Titled “Drought Story” the portrait by Sydney photographer Joel B Pratley is of David Kalisch captured in the midst of an unexpected dust storm on his 1000-acre farm in Forbes, NSW. Pratley said it reflected the resilience of a man pushed to the limits by an unforgiving climate.

“David’s composure during the storm was surreal, because he is just so used to it. For me, it was like being on Mars.”

In making their decision, judges Nick Mitzevich, Karen Quinlan and Bill Henson noted the haunting and surreal qualities of the portrait.

“The vastness of the landscape turns farmer David Kalisch into an anonymous presence, leaving a space for us to consider our own place inside nature,” they said.

The 2021 Highly Commended prize went to Bells Beach photographer Julian Kingma for his portrait of young swimmer Tom cooling off in a stormwater drain during the 2020 Victorian lockdowns. Judges noted that the work, titled “Tom at the Drain”, had a “beauty, stillness and calm about it”.

NPG director Karen Quinlan also announced new distinction awards for Lismore artist RJ Poole for his portrait “Great Conjunction” and Jessica Hromas for “Mark and Saskia cool off”.

Quinlan said that while the prize always served up a “rich tableau of humanity”, the 2021 version, specially named “Living Memory”, brought a “bright celebration of identity” while also reflecting the maelstrom of late 2019 and 2020, and the darkness of a period that included widespread fires and a pandemic.

The judges, she explained, had selected 79 works, more than double the usual number, and the gallery also extended the duration of the exhibition until November.

Further prizes will be announced at a later date, including the Art Handlers Award, fetching the winner $2,000 thanks to IAS Fine Art Logistics, and the $5000 People’s Choice Award, supported by the David Roche Foundation. Audiences can vote for their favourites here.

“Living Memory: National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021” is at the NPG from July 31-November 7. An online panel discussing exploring some of the themes revealed in “Living Memory” will take place at 2-3pm, Saturday, July 31. Book here.