Andrew Cowen has won the $25,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize 2014 for his portrait of cartoonist, Matthew Martin – selected from the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition of 45 finalists, currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery.
The National Photographic Portrait Prize is an annual event intended to promote the very best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers. This year’s Prize attracted over 1400 entries. Judges Dr Sarah Engledow, National Portrait Gallery Curator, Dr Chris Chapman, National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator and guest judge, acclaimed Australian photographer Greg Weight, selected the final 45 portraits that make up the exhibition.
According to the 2014 judges the winning portrait was characterised by its arresting minimalism. Guest judge, Greg Weight, added ‘The winning portrait achieves maximum visual impact through the use of minimal, elegant composition – and then it begins to work psychologically. It’s a perfect use of restraint by the photographer Andrew Cowen.’ The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2014 exhibition will then tour to Wagga Wagga and Cowra in New South Wales, Wangaratta in Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania.
The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2014 is displayed concurrently with PROMO: Portraits from prime time, a contemporary photographic exhibition that goes behind the scenes and into the spotlight with eight professional photographers and the stars of Australian TV, music and comedy.
National Portrait Gallery
Until 9 June, 2014
Canberra
Image: Matthew Martin by Andrew Cowen
