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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.

Krishna and Shreya, 2008

by Damian Bennett

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 Finalist

Krishna and Shreya, 2008

Krishna and his daughter Shreya were spotted under the shower at Coogee Beach after having just been for a swim. Father and daughter were enjoying one of the hottest days of the year, after Krishna had just received the crushing news he was due to be made redundant. At this time, the Australian economy had just begun its downturn as the rest of the world faced recession. A mechanical engineer originally from India, Krishna shows his resilience and optimism as he sits for this portrait. While Shreya's expression, on the other hand, could almost mistake the viewer into believing she had taken on the burden of his redundancy. The true reason behind her disgruntled look is her feeling of loss at being taken away from her beloved Coogee Beach. The contrast in emotion between the faces of the sitters creates a comical juxtaposition as their roles appear reversed.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009
(More information, View all 56 photos)

Dimitri
Betty Churcher
Philip
Puddled state

Related information

Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne
Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne
Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne
Cormac and Callum, 2008 by Ingvar Kenne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009

Previous exhibition, 2009

In its second year at the National Portrait Gallery, and for the first time touring to other venues, the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 continues to present surprising perspectives on the nature of contemporary portrait photography.
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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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