National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist
‘Mum. This identity is not something I wear temporarily – it is a state of constant collaboration. My children and I live in ongoing exchange; they shape me as much as I shape them. We share routines, mundane ritual, atoms. The idea of mutual imprinting, of porous boundaries between self and other, is at the heart of my work. This multi-stage collaborative work began with a candid portrait taken in my kitchen. A print was made and I Blu-Tacked it to the wall. I invited my kids to hand-colour it as they wished. They left and revisited and revisited it again.’
Mia Mala McDonald is a Naarm/Melbourne-based photographer with a socially engaged practice who often works with portraiture. Her work focuses on people, identity and family, with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ representation in Australia.
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 Wednesday 30 September 2026.
from Saturday 22 August
The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 marks the end of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions.
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