$30,000 Bowness Photography Prize finalists announced

29 July 2021

A total of 52 finalists have just been announced for the 16^th annual William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize. Selected from over 1,700 images from Australian artists, the Prize offers the winning work an award of $30,000 as well as inclusion into the Monash Gallery of Art’s nationally significant collection of Australian photographs. The Smith & Singer People’s Choice Award will be voted by the public with the recipient receiving $5,000. The annual survey of contemporary photographic practice in Australia is considered one of the most prestigious prizes in the country.

© Paula Mahoney. Jump on through (to the other side), 2021. From the series Dis/appear II. Courtesy of the artist. — © Paula Mahoney. *Jump on through (to the other side),* 2021. From the series, *Dis/appear II.* Courtesy of the artist.

Judged by acclaimed artist Del Kathryn Barton, MGA Director Anouska Phizacklea, and Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Australia, Karen Quinlan AM, they observed emerging themes of isolation, protest, and the impact of COVID restrictions in the images which exposed underlying issues experience by many. But they also noted that moments of hope and celebration, including exemplary examples of intimate portraiture, traditional landscapes with a modern spin, and some outright quirky images were also evident.

© Paul Blackmore. Wenuri, 2021. From the series, Heat. Courtesy of the artist. — © Paul Blackmore. *Wenuri*, 2021. From the series, *Heat.* Courtesy of the artist.

“The Bowness Photography Prize every year provides a unique insight into what is current within society, and the shortlisted works speak to the diversity of experience with the artists responding powerfully to the impact COVID has had on society,” Anouska Phizacklea said.

The winner will be announced on 16 September, while the exhibition runs from 9 September – 7 November.

© Tamara Dean. Introversion, 2020. From the series, High jinks in the hydrangeas. Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin). — © Tamara Dean. Introversion, 2020. From the series, *High jinks in the hydrangeas*.
Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).

2021 finalist

Leith Alexander, Svetlana Bailey, Kate Ballis, Lauren Bamford, Gabrielle Bates, Tom Blachford, Paul Blackmore, Christophe Canato, Danica Chappell, Benjamin Cole, Nici Cumpston, Tamara Dean, Marian Drew, Jo Duck, Liss Fenwick, Silvi Glattauer, Richard Glover, Rebecca Griffiths, Joanne Handley, Jesse Harvey, Ponch Hawkes, Joseph Häxan, Petrina Hicks, Edi Ivancic, Angelique Joy, Tony Kearney, Ingvar Kenne, Shea Kirk, Honey Long and Prue Stent, Paula Mahoney, Harry McAlpine, Joseph McGlennon, Rod McNicol, Danie Mellor, Hayley Millar Baker, Mark Mohell, Lillian O'Neil, Meredith O'Shea, Ashley Perry, Patrick Pound, Ruiqi Qiu, Tonina Ryan, Amber Schmidt, Jessica Schwientek, Christopher Sheils, Melissa Spiccia, Ali Tahayori, Christian Thompson, Angela Tiatia, James Tylor, Justine Varga, Amy Woodward.

© Leith Alexander. Shuddup boys, 2021. From the series, SHEAR. Courtesy of the artist.

© Rod McNicol. One hundred and twelve days of solitude, 2020. Courtesy of the artist. — © Rod McNicol. *One hundred and twelve days of solitude*, 2020. Courtesy of the artist.

© Joseph McGlennon. Embers one, 2020. From the series, Awakening. Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney). — © Joseph McGlennon. *Embers one*, 2020. From the series, *Awakening*.
Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney).

© Kate Ballis. Serenity, 2019–21. From the series, Atlantis.
Courtesy of the artist, Gallerysmith (Melbourne)
and Arthouse Gallery (Sydney). — © Kate Ballis. *Serenity,* 2019–21. From the series, *Atlantis*.
Courtesy of the artist, Gallerysmith (Melbourne) and Arthouse Gallery (Sydney).

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