Herald photographer among finalists in National Portrait Prize
A YouTube sensation, a racially abused student and a mental health advocate are among the subjects whose images have shot to national prominence in the annual National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Photographers from The Sydney Morning Herald, Newcastle Herald and Canberra Times are finalists in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, awarded each year to recognise Australia's best contemporary portraiture.
James Brickwood from the Herald, Max Mason-Hubers from the Newcastle Herald and Jamila Toderas from The Canberra Times have been selected among 40 finalists from over 3000 entries.
James Brickwood's portrait of 23-year-old singer Troye Sivane is a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize.Credit:James Brickwood
Brickwood's portrait is of Troye Sivan, a 23-year-old South African-born singer, actor and YouTube personality from Perth who has won two ARIA awards.
The portrait was photographed at the Herald's studios in Pyrmont.
Abdullah Qaiser, a 21-year-old student from Pakistan who was bashed and racially abused in a carjacking at the University of Newcastle in August last year, features in Mason-Hubers' portrait.
Max Mason-Hubers' portrait of 21-year-old Abdullah Qaiser.Credit:Max Mason-Hubers
Qaiser agreed to be photographed in his bedroom, with bandages still covering his nose to stop it from bleeding following the assault.
Toderas photographed Australian Sex Party ACT leader Steven Bailey for her nominated portrait.
She photographed Bailey for the first time before the 2016 election, and then again in 2018 as a mental health advocate after he lost the election and his marriage broke down. He insisted that his female dog, Bruce, be included.
Jamila Toderas' portrait of Steven Bailey and his female dog, Bruce.Credit:Jamila Toderas
In 2016, Toderas said Bailey posed with an enormous grin while his dog mimicked him. "The mental health advocate's smile may be slightly diminished, but the black dog still holds the fort," she said of the 2018 portrait.
All 40 portraits up for the prize will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra from February 23 until April 7.
Natassia is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.