Prize-winning portrait a 'final gift' from aunt before death
Nathan Beard captured a private moment while visiting his beloved aunt in Thailand earlier this year. She died before he this week won the National Photographic Prize.
The National Photographic Portrait Prize has awarded Australian artist Nathan Beard for his portrait of his aunt Mae Khong, who passed away shortly after the announcement. The $30,000 first prize highlights a faceless, intimate portrait of Mae recuperating after a serious medical incident in Thailand. The image captures her determination and fragility, despite her inability to see her own likeness.
Beard's aunt, a significant cultural figure, will never witness her nephew's prestigious recognition. The gallery's director praised the photograph's emotional resonance, suggesting viewers can identify with Mae's life experiences. As a final tribute, Nathan will also receive $20,000 in camera equipment. This year's prize features 30 finalists out of over 1,000 entries, showcasing a wide range of styles and subjects.
The winning portrait is part of a retrospective exhibition highlighting over two decades of prize-winning works.
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