Melbourne Artist Nathan Beard Wins National Photographic Portrait Prize

Nathan Beard has been awarded the prestigious $30,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize for a deeply personal portrait of his late aunt, Mae Khong. The portrait, which captures her in a moment of vulnerability following a medical scare, was taken during Beard's visit to Thailand earlier this year.

Sadly, Mae Khong passed away in July, just before the prize announcement, meaning she will never witness the recognition her nephew has received. Beard's work, described by Isobel Parker Philip, the Director of Curatorial and Collection at the National Portrait Gallery, as embodying both strength and fatigue, resonates emotionally with viewers despite her face being obscured.

In addition to Beard's accolade, Phuong Nguyen Le received the $3,000 First Time Finalist Award for a portrait of his father, while Hussein Abdirahman Mohamud was honored with the $3,000 Art Handlers' Award for his poignant image depicting a resident of Flemington public housing packing to leave her home.

This year's competition showcased 30 finalists from over 1,000 entries, highlighting a range of styles and themes, from joyful moments to tender reflections. The current format of the National Photographic Portrait Prize will conclude, with a new model set to be introduced in 2027, promising exciting developments for the future of the event.

Source: www.abc.net.au