The 2021 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize finalists have been announced!

In the midst of lockdown the three judges – acclaimed artist Del Kathryn Barton, MGA Director Anouska Phizacklea and Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Australia, Karen Quinlan AM – met, discussed and narrowed down the strong field of entrants to the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize to a shortlist of 52 works to be exhibited as the 2021 edition of the prize.

Over the last 16 years, the Bowness Photography Prize has emerged as an important annual survey of contemporary photographic practice in Australia and one of the most prestigious prizes in the country. Monash Gallery of Art invited artists to submit still photo-based media including analogue and digital photography created over the last year for consideration. The winning work will be awarded $30,000 and will be acquired into MGA’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.

Our top picks: from left to right:

Benjamin COLE
Caughtsumption 10  2021
from the series Caughtsumption
pigment ink-jet print
80.0 x 120.0 cm
courtesy of the artist

Tamara DEAN
Introversion  2020
from the series High jinks in the hydrangeas
pigment ink-jet print
120.0 x 160.0 cm
courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin)

Nici CUMPSTON
Great-grandmother Barka  2020
from the series Attesting
pigment ink-jet print, crayon, pencil
80.0 x 80.0 cm
courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney)

Joseph HÄXAN
Pond body  2020
from the series The rite of spring
pigment ink-jet print
80.0 x 80.0 cm
courtesy of the artist and GAGPROJECTS (Adelaide + Berlin)