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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.

Green in the Grooves, 2023

Tamara Henderson

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 Finalist

pigment photographic print on paper, kiln cast glass frame (frame: 73.5cm x 73.5cm depth 6.0cm)
Green in the Grooves, 2023

Tamara Henderson
born Canada 1982, Australia from 2019

Green in the Grooves 2023
pigment photographic print on paper, kiln cast glass frame

‘This self portrait is a 16mm film still taken from Green in the Grooves. The film focuses on the close observation of microbiology in compost soil, and the chemical and insect-driven processes of decomposition and earthworm ecology. In this photographic frame I was under a pane of glass and soil was progressively scattered onto the glass. In the moving picture the image progresses from being of the sky to an opaque but reflective surface – via the application of soil. It is a moment that depicts a body which is under the earth and in reflection simultaneously.’

Tamara Henderson is an artist based on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country in Kamberri/Canberra whose work draws attention to the often-unappreciated earth beneath our feet, the grounding of life on this planet.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Voting closes Sunday 29 September 2024.

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National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024
(More information, View all 34 photos)

We Were Just Little Boys
Alfie Barker (right view)
New Gold
A million moons: Self-portrait as an Iranian woman

Related information

Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt
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Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt
Alexis with moon, 2024 Amos Gebhardt

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Current exhibition

from Saturday 22 June

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 celebrates established and emerging artistic talent from across the country.
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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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