National Portrait Gallery has announced the winner and highly commended images for this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Winner: Greta In Her Kitchen, 36 weeks, 2018 by Alana Holmberg


Highly Commended: Sumbawa pride – life on a boat with eleven kids, 2018 by Alex Vaughan

NPG Senior Curator, Dr Christopher Chapman, commented on Alana’s winning portrait of Greta: ‘This unconventional portrait is quiet and contemplative. The judges agreed that a compelling portrait photograph could be one that conveys a reflective moment experienced by many. The quality of light, the composition of the image and the subtle communication of the narrative combine to create an inner world. The judges agreed that this is a joyous family portrait.’

‘Both images possess a cinematic quality. The judges felt strongly that both portraits allude to the ways in which family connections grow, and the photographs speak to the variety of experiences of motherhood,’ said Dr Chapman.

Alana Holmberg has won a $30,000 cash prize and $22,000 worth of equipment courtesy of Canon.

Alex Vaughan has won an EIZO monitor valued at more than $3,000.

The Art Handlers’ Award ($2,000 cash provided by IAS Fine Art Logistics) was won earlier this week by Elizabeth Looker’s portrait A Calm So Deep.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019 exhibition opens tomorrow (23 February) and runs until Sunday 7 April 2019, after which it will tour around Australia. The exhibition showcases the 40 high quality finalists that were selected from more than 3,000 entries.

See further information on the National Portrait Gallery website.