Skip to main content

To help keep us all safe, please check our conditions of entry related to COVID-19 before visiting.

Menu
What's on The Portraits Watch
The Gallery Governance & Board Publications
Learn Access Search the website
close close
What's on The Portraits The Gallery Learn Watch More O

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.

Polly Borland, 2015

by John Tsiavis

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 Finalist

Polly Borland, 2015

There are multiple layers at work when one looks through a camera lens. Beyond the actions of sit, point, and click, I ask “what is really being portrayed here?” This question becomes particularly complex when the subject makes her art and creates a narrative by constructing characters and interpreting them through her lens. In Polly’s deliberate projection, I find her vulnerability amplified, with a unique tension that comes when one is at the same time the photographed and the photographer.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016
(More information, View all 49 photos)

Miles and Arkie
Ben
The Voyage
Olga and her blanket

Other NPPP photos from John Tsiavis
(More information)

Chris Lilley, 2012 by John Tsiavis
2013 Finalist
Creator versus character - Chris Lilley
2010 Finalist

Related information

Polly Borland
Polly Borland
Polly Borland
Polly Borland

Polly Borland

'Everyone wants to know the story about the Queen'

Portrait story

Australian photographer, Polly Borland, describes the hectic experience of photographing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Tan Le

'So many stars'

Portrait story

Tech entrepreneur Tan Le and photographer John Tsiavis.
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso
Miles and Arkie, 2015 by Clint Peloso

Shop Talk

Magazine article by Stephen Phillips, 2016

Angus and the arbiters talk (photo) shop for the National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Home Contact Media Privacy statement User agreement
© National Portrait Gallery 2022
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
Fax +61 2 6102 7001
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency