William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize virtual tour

Enjoy the works of all the finalists and read their artist statements from the comfort of your living room by taking the virtual tour of the 2021 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize exhibition. A showcase of contemporary Australian photography, a total of 52 finalists are on display as part of the exhibition for the 16th 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.

Melbourne artist, Lillian O'Neil won the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize for her work, Drawing to a close (2020). Colour Factory Honourable Mentions were awarded to Lauren Bamford for her intimate and odd diptych, Easter egg hunt and Dot's apple (2021), to Shea Kirk for his compelling and raw double portrait, Dina Scintilla (left and right view) (2021), and to Ali Tahayori for his altered family archive photograph that speaks to an undisclosed trauma, Sisterhood (2021). Tahayori also received the Smith & Singer People’s Choice Award.

The 2021 competition was judged by acclaimed artist Del Kathryn Barton, MGA Director Anouska Phizacklea, and Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Australia, Karen Quinlan AM.

2021 finalists

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.

 

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August

Sydney: The photographs in Max Dupain: Student Life were taken at the University of Sydney in the early 1950s, a period of rapid change marked by the politics of the Cold War.

September

Canberra: This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

October

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

November

Sydney: Chrissie Hall specialises in advertising, fashion, portraiture and social documentary. Join Chrissie for her 2nd book launch and exhibition at Lunar Studios in Alexandria on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Sydney: 23–25 November. Three Edge Studio is very proud to present 21 outstanding emerging and experienced Australian photographers at the M2 Gallery in Surry Hills.

Perth: Until 18 May 2025. Henry Roy – Impossible Island draws on 40-years of recollections and observations as it brings together 113 photos taken from 1983 to 2023.

Brisbane: The Photo Fair #2 is a community event to sell, swap, and showcase photographic works on November 30 and December 1, 2024. 10am - 4pm

Melbourne: 30/11– 15/12. Focal/Vocal showcases the photographic talents of 7 graduates who use the medium of photography for the exploration of the human condition.

December

Sydney: ...as they were. A 'one day only' Street Photography exhibition by Chad Lippert. Held in a St Peters photo studio from 11am - 4pm on 15 December.