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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.

Lurking, 2024

Derek Sargent

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

pigment photographic print on paper (image: 39.0cm x 59.0cm. sheet: 40.0cm x 60.0cm. frame: 46.8cm x 66.9cm)
Lurking, 2024

‘Lurking is a self portrait created at the Leveld Kunstnartun art residency in rural Norway. The photograph features custom-made leather harnesses I made during the residency. Set against the rural backdrop, the urban leather contrasts with the weathered wood, symbolising the tension between isolation and resilience often present in queer experiences. The work invites viewers to contemplate queerness as both an inner journey and an ongoing dialogue with the world around us.’

Derek Sargent is a Tarntanya/Adelaide-based artist whose practice includes moving image, sculpture, installation and photography. His work investigates themes of sexual identity and authenticity and questions dominant histories and narratives.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

The People’s Choice Award is generously supported by the Calvert-Jones Foundation, with the artist who wins the most votes receiving $10,000.

Voting closes Sunday 28 September 2025.

Submit vote

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025
(More information, View all 48 photos)

Philomela
The Paddington Boarding House
Aida Azin
Magick Maali

Related information

Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

Current exhibition

from Saturday 16 August

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
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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