© National Portrait Gallery 2026
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist
‘Three chromatograms of three beloved children – Emmie, Rasmus and Cosmos – described by their mother as her sun, her moon and her stars. Chromatography is a camera-less photographic process used to facilitate the visual expression of natural materials. The hues and patterns that form over the silver nitrate-soaked paper cannot be predetermined or controlled. Chromatograms can be thought of as self portraits of the materials used to create them. These chromatograms were created using Emmie’s hair, Rasmus’ placenta and the tissue of Cosmos’ body – Cosmos miscarried at 15 weeks and lives among the stars. Siblings of aether and earth.’
Sammy Hawker is a visual artist who works predominantly on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country in the Canberra region. She uses experimental photographic techniques to co-create imagery with environmental elements. Her work reflects on how knowledge and memory is inscribed in materials, places and bodies.
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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