Thirty-four finalist works provide a powerful visual record of the year, reflecting a particular time in Australian culture, both socially and artistically.
Amos Gebhardt’s winning work collapses linear time and connects to ideas of the cosmos, while Shelley Xue’s frosted silhouette of her mother’s figure represents the disconnection and reconnection of bittersweet family reunions. Other works evade AI facial recognition technology with striped camouflage; connect with and recognise the fragility of nature; showcase the beauty of culture and diversity; explore the intricacies of interpersonal relationships; and capture haunting self-portraits.
Shelley Xue, 阿谊 (ah Yi), 2023, pigment photographic print on paper, 91.8 × 61.9cm (framed). National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 Art Handlers’ Award. Courtesy the artist and National Portrait Gallery, Australian Capital Territory
National Portrait Gallery
22 June to 13 October 2024
Australian Capital Territory
