Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Angus Trumble, has announced the winner of the ‘National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016’, awarding the $25,000 first-prize for the most outstanding photographic portrait to Elizabeth Looker for her work Life Dancers (2015), a portrait of two children.
The artist discusses her winning work and its subjects; “These two people are those in the world to whom I feel most akin. I see in Aimee Grace and Innes things easily forgotten with age and time, which I am reminded of and urged to hang on to: true freedom and effortless movement, play and humour, empathy, compassion and kindness, all of which flow from within them, and constantly remind me of what is important.”
The winning work was selected from 2,000 entries nation-wide and will be on display with forty-eight other finalists at the National Portrait Gallery until 26 June 2016.
The ”National Photographic Portrait Prize’ is an annual event that promotes the very best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers.
Portrait Gallery Curator and judge Penelope Grist was captivated by this year’s winning entry.
“The 2016 NPPP winner Life Dancers by Elizabeth Looker is an enchanting and mysterious scene that pushes the boundaries of portraiture,” said Penelope.
“Set in Australian suburbia with the aesthetic of a fairy tale, this portrait of two children in a Western Australian garden captures a moment that could feed memory or metaphor. Life Dancers reminds us of the place that imagination can continue to have throughout our lives, if only we let it.”
Award-winning Australian photographer and guest judge Narelle Autio commended the unspoken emotion of the winning photograph.
“From the moment I saw this photograph it captured my attention and in the end it didn’t let go. Beautifully composed, it offers a stunning tableau of childhood, a moment grabbed out of the bustle of family life,” said Narelle.
“This enigmatic portrait of a girl offers up a wistful reflection on the passing of time but it is also a beautiful interpretation of that moment where we are caught between who we are and who we will become.”
Highly Commended:
Sean Davey for his portrait titled Asha (2015).
Art Handler’s Award:
Matthew Newton for his portrait On Albatross Island.
The public are invited to vote for their favourite portrait for the $2,500 People’s Choice Award online at portrait.gov.au/peopleschoice. The winner will be announced on 28 June 2016.
National Portrait Gallery
20 March to 28 June, 2016
Australian Capital Territory
The exhibition will then tour Dubbo Regional Gallery, Lovett Gallery in Newcastle, Port Pirie Regional Gallery, Mildura Arts Centre and Glenelg Art Gallery in South Australia.
Winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 – Elizabeth Looker, Life dancers, 2015, digital print
Highly Commended in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 – Sean Davey, Asha, 2015, gelatin silver print