The market for Australian photography had a shot in the arm on Tuesday night when a “signature” piece by a celebrated Sydney-based photographer set a new artist auction record.

Petrina Hicks’ strange and compelling photograph, Shenae and Jade, 2005, sold at Deutscher and Hackett’s May 14 online sale for $68,750 (including buyer’s premium of 25 per cent, as will all sale prices below).