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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.

Release, 2010

by Donna Gibbons

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 Finalist

Release, 2010

Thursday 8.20am February 11, 2010. My father, Rex Brooke Sulway, passed away quite suddenly and peacefully. He was finally released from the anguish of living with Alzheimer's disease. Living in aged care, he was very aware of what was ahead. He often said..."those poor buggers"; referring to the residents in the locked, high-care ward. Dad’s death took us by surprise. He’d told his mate Kevin Grady, that he’d see him in the morning.  Nine months on, I realise now that it was a merciful way for dad to pass from this world. He nurtured in me his love of photography. I had to photograph him in his room one last time, before they took him away. He is finally free.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011
(More information, View all 55 photos)

Clare and Bella
Kumantjayi
Single parent Robert Smith-Goode, housing commission flats
The gift

Related information

Miss Alesandra, 2010 by Jacqueline Mitelman
Miss Alesandra, 2010 by Jacqueline Mitelman
Miss Alesandra, 2010 by Jacqueline Mitelman
Miss Alesandra, 2010 by Jacqueline Mitelman

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011

Previous exhibition, 2011

The NPPP exhibition is selected from a national field of entries. The annual exhibition, now in its fourth year, reflects the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
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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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