Biography of 'phenomenal' Australian photographer wins major $25,000 prize

Max Dupain, a renowned Australian photographer, is the subject of a new biography that has won the prestigious 2026 National Biography Award. His biographer, Helen Ennis, dedicated a chapter to his most famous photograph, Sunbaker, which depicts a man's head and shoulders lying in the sun on Culburra Beach. Ennis states that Sunbaker's meaning is not fixed and will continue to resonate with different people over time.

The black and white photograph, taken in 1937, features a triangular shape on the sand that Ennis finds monumental. Ennis's biography, Max Dupain: A Portrait, has received widespread praise for its exceptional craftsmanship and nuanced portrayal of the photographer. It explores Dupain's life and work, presenting a more complex picture of the artist beyond his one-dimensional reputation.

Ennis emphasizes that Dupain's emotional and artistic range has been overlooked due to his association with national identity and masculinity. She highlights the support he received from various women in his life, including his mother, Olive Cotton, Diana, and Jill White, who played crucial roles in his self-formation. Despite his confident demeanor and assertive photographs, Ennis reveals that Dupain struggled with self-doubt and emotions.

She believes that Dupain's character deserves to be humanized rather than heroized, as he was a complex and multifaceted individual. Ennis's biography is praised for its eloquent structure and ability to weave Dupain's life and work into a cohesive whole, ensuring that his legacy will endure into the 21st century.