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Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Mr Angus Trumble, has announced Melbourne photographer Hoda Afshar has won the ‘National Photographic Portrait Prize 2015’ for Portrait of Ali (2014), a portrait of a young Iranian boy in the mountainous terrain of Northern Iran. The Gallery was thrilled to award Ms Afshar the $25,000 prize for the most outstanding photographic portrait. The winning work was selected from the ‘National Photographic Portrait Prize’ exhibition of 44 finalists and is on display at the National Portrait Gallery until 8 June 2015.
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. This year’s Prize attracted over 2400 entries – the most number of entries ever received in the prize’s eight year history. The judges selected the final 44 portraits that make up the exhibition.
National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Dr Christopher Chapman said that the portrait was a unanimous choice for the judging panel. “The photographer has created a compelling portrait of the young boy. The rocky, misty setting creates a sense of mystery, intimating the boy’s future – likely as a shepherd.”
Guest judge, Nikki Toole, added “Hoda’s use of composition is a real highlight of the work. It has a beautiful cinematic quality.”
The Highly Commended award was given to Katherine Williams for her portrait Barry and Alkirra – The Carrington house (2014). Ms Williams received a generous prize provided by Eizo.
The exhibition will held at the National Portrait Gallery before touring extensively in Queensland including venues Artspace Mackay, Cairns Regional Gallery, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Rockhampton Art Gallery.
National Portrait Gallery
21 March to 8 June, 2015
Australian Capital Territory
Hoda Afshar, Portrait of Ali, 2014
Winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2015
