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National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019 Finalist
I first met former Sex Party candidate Steven Bailey in 2016. He posed with an enormous grin on his face while his treasured female dog, Bruce, mimicked him. Two years on I photographed him again. Steven was one to get caught up in life rather than staying in touch with his emotional state, and he ignored signs of growing mental illness. After losing the election and having his marriage break down, his sense of purpose weakened. Sitting for me, he insists on Bruce being included. The mental health advocate’s smile may be slightly diminished, but the black dog still holds the fort.
2019 National Photographic Portrait Prize judge Anne O’Hehir looks beneath the surface of this year’s entries.
The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
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