Portraits for the people
THE top entries from the annual $50,000 Head On Portrait Prize are currently on display in Sydney as part of the Head On Photo Festival.
The competition was established by Moshe Rosenzveig in 2004 and has evolved into one of Australia’s best exhibitions of photographic talent.
This year it attracted more than 25,000 entries, and saw three photographers – Chris Budgeon, David Manley and Tracey Nearmy – share the prestigious prize. Louise Whelan won the Critic’s Choice Award.
Rosenzveig says that the portraits encapsulate a variety of ideas, styles and subject matter.
“The calibre of the entries this year was extremely high,” says Rosenzveig. “They are fantastic portraits of a variety of people, and each year there’s a bit of a twist that keeps it interesting.”
The Head On Photo Festival, which is in its third year, features more than 150 events including exhibitions from local and international photographers, lectures, seminars, workshops and multimedia screenings.
“Last year there were mainly local photographers, but this year we have several artists from overseas that we invited and curated,” says Rosenzveig.
“We always try to keep it fresh and source the most exciting things that are out there in the photography world.”
Festival exhibitions and events will be set in more than 100 venues around Sydney, including art galleries and museums, as well as at informal venues such as cafes, parks, shopfronts, libraries, universities, arts schools and office buildings.
Entries by the 40 finalists are on display at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington, Sydney until June 3.
For Head On exhibition and festival information, visit: www.headon.com.au.
REPORT: Cassilee Kahn
PHOTO: David Manley’s prize-winning photo in the Head On Portrait Prize.
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