Winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 announced

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Charlie, captured by photographer Lee Grant and depicting a young social housing resident from Canberra, has been declared the winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize for 2018.

Charlie, 2017, Lee Grant
Charlie, 2017, Lee Grant

Speaking to the RiotAct, Ms Grant says she met Charlie last year while working on a collaborative art project at the Ainslie Village social housing community and knew immediately that it was going to be good picture.

“I was excited when I went home and processed those pictures,” she said.

The highly commended award has been awarded to Filomena Rizzo for her portrait titled My Olivia.

My Olivia, Filomena Rizzo
My Olivia, Filomena Rizzo

Dr Christopher Chapman, Senior Curator at the Portrait Gallery and co-judge of this year's Prize, says it was the power of humanness that shone through in the two award-winning portraits.

'As the possible winners came into view from within a very strong field, it felt like we were distilling something of the essence of portraiture, and the winning portraits possessed that essence for us.'

Co-judge and Curator at the Art Gallery of Western Australia Mr Robert Cook appreciated that both works depict a young individual making their own way in their lives and into the wider world.

‘It’s like both subjects are facing futures that are uncertain. And they’re doing so bravely. It’s the bravery that you have when you’re afraid, when you yourself might crumble and you figure there’s only a fifty-fifty shot at making it through. What the artists have done here is present this dilemma, one we all get on some level, with compassion, without artifice and without false heroics,’ said Mr Cook.

Ms Grant said she was thrilled and honoured to be named the Winner of this year's National Photographic Portrait Prize.

'I can’t quite put into words how grateful I am. I have been a Canberra girl for most of my life, so there is an extra personal significance in being able to share this work in my old hometown in one of the country’s most esteemed and respected institutions,' said Grant.

Ms Grant will receive $30,000 cash from the Portrait Gallery, lighting equipment from Profoto to the value of $15,000 and paper supplies from Ilford to the value of $5,000.

Runner-up image My Olivia was taken by Victorian photographer Filomena Rizzo in the Redwood Forest, "a very magical place," she said. "I didn’t see the real significance of the image until some weeks later. The image shows vulnerability and sadness, but mostly I see strength and a bond only we two share. My girls are by far my greatest teachers,’ she added. 

‘The portrait has come from a very personal space and time. When you put so much into an image and share it, it is wonderful that others see it. I am truly humbled and grateful to have won Highly Commended.’

Joey, Stephanie Simcox
Joey, Stephanie Simcox

The Gallery awarded the Art Handlers’ Award earlier in the week to Stephanie Simcox for her portrait titled Joey. Ms Simcox will receive $2,000 cash thanks to IAS, and return shipping of her artwork after the regional tour.

People’s Choice voting opens from 23 March 2018; the public can vote for their favourite image online at nppp.portrait.gov.au or in person outside the exhibition space. The People’s Choice winner will receive a studio and equipment rental package valued at $2,500 and a Canon EOS M5 camera valued at $1,949, supported by Sun Studios.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize opens to the public on Saturday 24 March and is on display until Sunday 17 June 2018. The exhibition will then tour around Australia. For venues and ticketing information, please visit nppp.portrait.gov.au.

You can see all the finalist images here.

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