Sydney photographer Joel B. Pratley’s work, Drought story, 2020 has taken out the National Portrait Gallery’s Living Memory 2021 National Photographic Portrait Prize (NPPP).
The stunning photograph depicted a farmer caught in the midst of an unexpected dust storm on his property in Forbes, NSW.
Accepting the award over Zoom from Redfern in Sydney, Pratley felt “really overwhelmed” to learn he had won.
“I didn’t think I would personally win this,” he said modestly, “however, I really do believe in this image and I’m glad other people do too.”
The photo was taken as part of a series to demonstrate the hardships Australian farmers face and to encourage people to support them through donations.
“Right place, right time,” Pratley said.
For winning he received $30,000 in cash as well as $20,000 worth of photography equipment.
From now until 7 November, the 79 NPPP finalists will be on display at the Portrait Gallery.
In the 14th year of the Prize, Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan said the exhibition is a way to “look back, consider and reflect” upon these challenging times, providing a “rich tableau of humanity, a reflection of the year that was”.
The exhibition is full of portraiture capturing everything from the catastrophe of drought and bushfire to the intimate moments of lockdown. Themes of isolation and solitude permeate the works.
“After the harrowing bushfires of the summer of ‘19/20 closely followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt imperative that in 2021 we acknowledged the seismic events of this period,” Quinlan said.
“But the bright celebration of identity, both collective and individual, that resonate throughout every year of the NPPP is highly visible throughout this unique collection of works.”
The Highly Commended Award went to Julian Kingma for Tom at the Drain.
The Distinction Awards were presented to R.J Poole for Great conjunction, and Jessica Hromas for Mark and Saskia cool off.
The Art Handlers’ Award went to I’m just a suburban fashionista by Kristina Kraskov.
Canberra photographer Dion Georgopoulos had two photographs as finalists, Wandella firestorm and The Salway family.
The Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery until 7 November; portrait.gov.au
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