Andrew Cowan has won the 2014 National Photographic Portrait Prize winner with a revealing picture of his friend, cartoonist Matthew Martin.
The winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize for 2014 and $25,000 prize money is Andrew Cowan, who captured a reflective moment of his friend, cartoonist Matthew Martin, during a casual conversation. Cowan says he enjoys the process of shooting portraits because it allows him to slow down. He believes his contemplative image captured the essence of his friend.
Runner up was Melbourne photographer David Apostol, who shot a dark self-portrait of himself sitting in a sparse kitchen, leaning towards an open oven. Apostol works as a tram driver to fund his photography and his image was part of a series exploring his feelings of depression and anxiety. Many of the finalists’ images explored disturbing or unsettling themes this year.
The 45 finalists' images were selected from more than 1400 original entries. The organisers say the National Photographic Portrait Prize aims to promote the best in contemporary photographic portraiture produced by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers. Judges Dr Sarah Engledow, National Portrait Gallery Curator, Dr Chris Chapman, National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator and guest judge, and acclaimed Australian photographer Greg Weight, selected the final 45 portraits which make up the exhibition.
After the exhibition is finished in Canberra it will tour to Wagga Wagga and Cowra in New South Wales, Wangaratta in Victoria and Devonport in Tasmania. The National Photographic Portrait Prize and PROMO: Portraits from prime time (a series of images by top photographers of identities from television, music and comedy) will be displayed in separate gallery spaces at the National Portrait Gallery, but they will be joined by a thoroughfare creating a connection between two exhibitions exploring different aspects of contemporary photography and Australian culture. Both exhibitions will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery until June 9.
Tickets cost $10.00, or $8.00 for members and concession holders. Under 18s can enter free of charge, and the ticket prices include access to both exhibitions. The National Portrait Gallery is located at King Edward Terrace, Parkes, Canberra. The full list of finalists can be seen at www.portrait.gov.au/site/nppp.php
'Matthew Martin 2013.' Photo by Andrew Cowan. Winner, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Untitled, 2013.' Self portrait by David Apostol. Runner Up, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Paddy Ellis - Lightning Ridge opal miner' by Adam Knott. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Fatima 2013' by Andrew Tsangarides. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Daniel Bornstein 2013,' by Astrid Piepschyk. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Crowned Madonna with kids 2013,' by Fiona Wolf-Symeonides. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Sentinel 2013,' by Hamish Ta-mé. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Alex and Doug Dunn 2013,' by James Brickwood. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Sophie 2013,' by Sarah Rhodes. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
'Andrew 2013', by Andrew M. Lance. Finalist, 2014 National Portrait Prize.
Winner of the National Portrait Prize for 2014 was this image by Andrew Cowan of his friend Matthew Martin.
