National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

A learning resource for teachers of primary and secondary Visual Arts.

By National Portrait Gallery

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 - Learning Resource

Kayla (2017) by Stuart MillerNational Portrait Gallery

How to use the
learning resource

We have selected eleven portraits of a diverse range of subjects to explore in more depth. The resource is designed primarily for secondary school teachers and students of Visual Arts. The education resource can be used either in the classroom or in small groups, to encourage contemplation and the visual analysis of photographic portraits and to stimulate thoughtful conversations.  

John Patten (Johnny Jarrett), 1958 Australian bantamweight boxing champion (2017) by Tiffany GarvieNational Portrait Gallery

National Photographic
Portrait Prize 2018

A perennial favourite amongst Gallery visitors, the National Photographic Portrait Prize (NPPP) reflects the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of subjects. The judging panel this year included Dr Christopher Chapman, Senior Curator, National Portrait Gallery; Robert Cook, Curator of Contemporary Design and International Art, Art Gallery of Western Australia, and Petrina Hicks, contemporary artist who works with photography. The three judges selected 41 finalists for the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018.

Charlie, Lee Grant, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The winner for 2018 is...Charlie, 2017 by Lee Grant.

My Olivia, Filomena Rizzo, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The Highly Commended prize went to My Olivia, 2017 by Filomena Rizzo.

Charlie (2017) by Lee GrantNational Portrait Gallery

Look through this year’s finalists:

NPPP 2018 finalists

Working in small groups, choose a winner – you need to all agree on the same one so get ready to justify your choice!

What was your judging criteria in choosing a winner?

Share your ideas with other groups.

Chaos 1 from series Negotiating the family portrait (2017) by Marzena WasikowskaNational Portrait Gallery

We are always looking at photos of people. Photos describe the world to us. Photos invent idealised bodies. Photos reveal trauma, despair and horror. Photos mark achievements and milestones. Can we breach the surface? Can we really look at a person in a photograph and feel something almost authentic?

Dr Christopher Chapman (NPPP2018 judge), ‘Coming into being.’

Want to read more?

Find the essay here.

The arrival (2017) by Renée StamatovaNational Portrait Gallery

The arrival, 2017 by Renée Stamatova

One theme in the NPPP 2018 is migration and several
portraits explore multicultural identity in relation to the world. 

This pared back portrait centres on a moment of self-awareness as the subject relaxes in a place that is simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar.

Describe the subject’s expression and body language.

How do you think he feels in this place?

The Migrant (2017) by Jacqui StockdaleNational Portrait Gallery

The Migrant, 2017 by Jacqui Stockdale

This portrait also explores identity, place and migration.

The arrival, 2017 by Renée Stamatova and The Migrant, 2017 by Jacqui Stockdale (2017) by Renée Stamatova and Jacqui StockdaleNational Portrait Gallery

Compare and contrast the two portraits, consider pose, expression, background and costume.

Read the artist statements:

Renée Stamatova's artist statement.

Jacqui Stockdale's artist statement.

With this additional information, what further observations can you make about the portraits?

Distracted (2017) by Lara Del ArteNational Portrait Gallery

Distracted, 2017 by Lara Del Arte

This portrait is of the photographer’s daughter.

Consider the different relationships in this portrait: such as between subject and photographer, and between subject and those sharing her physical and virtual space.

How do you think your parents would describe what is going on in this picture?

Would it differ from the way you would describe it?

The girls (2017) by Tamara DeanNational Portrait Gallery

The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean

This is another portrait about companionship. 

The girls, 2017 by Tamara Dean and Distracted, 2017 by Lara Del Arte (2017) by Tamara Dean and Lara Del ArteNational Portrait Gallery

Compare the relationships represented in these portraits, including their relationships to place.

Can you find other portraits from NPPP 2018 that look at relationships?

NPPP 2018 finalists

Tracey Moffatt dreaming (2017) by James HoranNational Portrait Gallery

Tracey Moffatt dreaming, 2017 by James Horan

Notice the horizontal lines that make up the composition.

How has the photographer used colour and design to layer the space?

The context of the photograph (in the subject’s studio) provides a personal insight.

Describe the subject’s body language.

How does the mood of the portrait make you feel?

Joey (2017) by Stephanie SimcoxNational Portrait Gallery

Joey, 2017 by Stephanie Simcox

Joey takes a moment to
relax at the local waterhole after a long day working in a remote community in
the Central Desert Region, Australia.

Describe the atmosphere and tone of the photograph.

What are the elements that contribute to your reading of the portrait?

The composition of Stephanie Simcox’s portrait of Joey is reminiscent of this famous painting of 'Ophelia' by Sir John Everett Millais.

However, the mood and context of the two portraits is very different.

Compare and contrast these two portraits.

This portrait won the Art Handler’s Award, which is selected as the photographs arrive in preparation for display by the Art Handlers at the National Portrait Gallery.

Untitled (2017) by Emma PhillipsNational Portrait Gallery

Untitled, 2016 by Emma Phillips

I was thinking of Sandro Botticelli and I was thinking of Rineke Dijkstra. But mostly I was thinking of this girl on the beach in Frankston, and how she’s beautiful and radiant.

Describe the subject’s pose and body language.

In her statement, Emma Phillips refers to the work of contemporary Dutch photographer, Rineke Dijkstra.

Sandro Botticelli’s 'The birth of Venus'

Discuss ideas of ‘beauty’ in relation to this portrait.

Lyu with orchid (2017) by David RosetzkyNational Portrait Gallery

Lyu with orchid, 2017 by David Rosetzky

In the NPPP 2018, photographers have employed a range of
different digital and analogue techniques to achieve their desired effect.

This photograph was produced by superimposing two images to create one multidimensional composition, a process called double-exposure.

Look at the different layers and the elements that are in or out of focus.

David Rosetzky's artist statement:

This portrait of champion Australian ballroom dancer Lyu Masuda is from my ongoing series of analogue, black and white, double-exposure photographs taken with a 35mm film camera. Working with this technique enables me to combine one image with another in a way that I cannot completely anticipate. It is precisely the random nature of this process that holds particular interest for me – with its inherent misalignments and compositions created through chance. I have worked with portraiture for many years, and have recently made a number of photographs that incorporate images of flowers with individuals from the LGBTQI community.

Reflecting on this statement;

What does the photographer mean by the random nature of this process?

How would you approach making a double-exposed photograph?

Yassmin Abdel-Magied (2017) by Adrian CookNational Portrait Gallery

Yassmin Abdel-Magied, 2017 by Adrian Cook

Here is an early photographic technique called tintype. 

Can you find examples of other photographic techniques from NPPP 2018?

NPPP 2018 finalists

Self-portrait of a girl I used to know (2017) by Holly Granville-EdgeNational Portrait Gallery

Self-portrait of a girl I used to know, 2016 by Holly Granville-Edge

Portraits can capture a range of emotions that the subject is experiencing and projecting to viewers.

In this self-portrait the photographer is looking at herself. The subject appears both strong and vulnerable.

Which aspects of her pose and expression suggest each of these conditions?

Scarred (2017) by Nicole WellsNational Portrait Gallery

Scarred, 2017 by Nicole Wells

This portrait is also about vulnerability and strength. 

How is this expressed?

Breakfast with bats (2017) by Doug GimesyNational Portrait Gallery

Find out more about the exhibition by heading over to our website.

Interested in learning more?

Book into one of our virtual excursions and spend some time with one of our Learning Facilitators. Chat, draw and be taken on a virtual tour through the exhibition and collection.

Blue Mountains escape (2017) by George VoulgaropoulosNational Portrait Gallery

After its conclusion at the National Portrait Gallery on 17 June, the NPPP 2018 will embark on a tour around Australia!

Take a look at the tour venues and schedule.

Two ways/A dualistic system (2017) by Dave LaslettNational Portrait Gallery

More finalist images...

Select the portraits you find compelling and reflect on what aspects you connect with.

Mum, Joel Pratley, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Look at me (I), Saleheh Gholami, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Meagan Pelham, Lyndal Irons, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Yahir, waiting to live again, Joel Pratley, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The spirit walker, Alex Ellinghausen, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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‘New home new life’ Arwin 2017, Zia Atahi, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The great echo chamber, Dianne Jones, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Amanda, Bill Gekas, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Bodie, Brett Canet-Gibson, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Roo shooter’s offsider, Adam Ferguson, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Tre, Dubbo, David Prichard, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Charlotte, Laura Sikes, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Shaymaa, Stuart Miller, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Stella #1, Michele Aboud, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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eX de Medici, Gary Grealy, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Engagement, Timothy Coad, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The Queen of Deakin, Julia Cameron, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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A weekend at Edie’s, Kristyn Jones, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The Honourable Bob Hawke savouring a strawberry milkshake, Harold David, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Sudan Peace, Hego, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Katherine, NT / Harrietville, Rhett Hammerton, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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The Capability, Anna Sinclair, 2017, From the collection of: National Portrait Gallery
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Credits: Story

This exhibit was written by Emily Casey, Program Coordinator at the National Portrait Gallery.

This exhibit was edited and produced by Alana Sivell, Digital Learning Coordinator at the National Portrait Gallery.

Thanks to the NPPP 2018 finalists for allowing us to include their works.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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