Bowness Photography Prize 2021 - entries close 30 June

16 June 2021

The call for entries for the annual William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize closes 30 June. 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

2020 Bowness Photography Prize winner. © Christian Thompson. Rule of three 2020, from the series Flower walls 2018–20. Chromogenic prints, 120 x 120 cm (each).
2020 Bowness Photography Prize winner. © Christian Thompson. Rule of three 2020, from the series Flower walls 2018–20. Chromogenic prints, 120 x 120 cm (each).

“The last year has been one of turmoil, as the global pandemic began to transform all our lives. This rapid change marks a paradigm shift in the way artists live and work,” Anouska Phizacklea, MGA Gallery Director said. “The Bowness Photography Prize is an anchor to our annual programming, and this year’s prize will speak to a pivotal moment in all of our lives. How artists have chosen to respond to this shift is something that we are eagerly anticipating – as artists add their voices to our cultural record.”

2019 Bowness Photography Prize winner. © Katrin Koenning. Three, 2018, from the series, Lake Mountain. Pigment inkjet prints 80 x 100 (each), courtesy of the artist and Reading Room (Melbourne).
2019 Bowness Photography Prize winner. © Katrin Koenning. Three, 2018, from the series, Lake Mountain. Pigment inkjet prints 80 x 100 (each), courtesy of the artist and Reading Room (Melbourne).

“We are excited to start another season of entries for the Bowness Photography Prize. With a focus on excellence, this prize continues to highlight Australian contemporary photography,” Kallie Blauhorn, MGA Foundation Chair said. “Each year we are amazed by the calibre of creativity from both emerging and established artists and cannot wait to see what this year's prize brings. We look forward to receiving entries from photographers across the country whom, if selected, will be a part of the 2021 Bowness Photography Prize exhibition later in the year and be eligible to win our $30,000 award.”

Hoda Afshar was not only the winner of the $30 000 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize (2018) for her photograph, Portrait of Behrouz Boochani, Manus Island (2018), but was also awarded the Sotheby’s Australia People’s Choice Award.
Hoda Afshar was not only the winner of the $30 000 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize (2018) for her photograph, Portrait of Behrouz Boochani, Manus Island (2018), but was also awarded the
Sotheby’s Australia People’s Choice Award.

The MGA Foundation has announced the judging panel will be comprised of MGA Director Anouska Phizacklea, award-winning artist Del Kathryn Barton, and Karen Quinlan AM, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Australia.

KEY DATES

Entries open
Wednesday 12 May – 30 June 2021

Finalists announced
Thursday 29 July 2021

Exhibition dates
Thursday 9 September – Sunday 7 November 2021

Award announcement
Thursday 16 September 2021

Follow this link for entry requirements and FAQ.
2015 winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014, from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
2015 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014,
from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art,
City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).

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