Faces of Australia in National Photographic Portrait Prize finalists | Pictures

Shearers, survivors and animal lovers inspired entries in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, writes Elizabeth Fortescue.

Australian shearers command an effortless “aesthetic” that urban cowboys can only aspire to emulate, says a photographer whose portrait of three young shearers with mullets is a finalist in the $50,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize.

“They’re so fashion-forward, they never stopped wearing mullets, had stick ’n poke tatts before hipsters did, and live the bohemian lifestyle Byron Bay-ites want,” Leith Alexander, 34, wrote in her photographer’s statement for the prize.

“Shearers haven’t stopped during Covid, so on top of being aesthetically perfect, they also continue to support the nation.

“Consider this photo a form of cultural exchange from country to city.”

Mullet Magic, by Leith Alexander.

Alexander, a digital producer for the arts company Big hART, photographed her shearer friends Keiah, Mitch and Brad on their lunch break near Narrogin, Western ­Australia. Alexander had just moved back to her parents’ farm, because of Covid-19, after working in the Pilbara.

It’s the self confidence of shearers she admires.

“These guys don’t care if things are in fashion or not, they just dress how they want to dress,” she said.

“They’re really interesting characters. It’s such a unique job.”

More than 3000 entries were received for the annual prize at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Pride, by Christopher Hopkins.

From those, NPG director Karen Quinlan, National Gallery of Australia director Nick Mitzevich and Melbourne photographer Bill Henson ­selected 80 finalists.

They will announce the winner on July 30.

Other finalists include Joel Brian Pratley’s depiction of a lone farmer facing the reality of drought, Kirsty Sycz’s portrait of the love and reassurance between a girl and her horse, Renee Nowytager’s heavily tattooed man and his puppy, and Jessica Hromas’ distillation of joy as a man and his dog swim off the rocks at Bondi Beach.

Mark Rushton and his Husky dog Saskia cool off at the northern end of Bondi Beach. Picture: Jessica Hromas

Drought Story, by Joel Brian Pratley.

A girl and her boy, by Kirsty Sycz.

Glen Braithwaite paid homage to Paul Murcott who trekked with his dog RJ from Adelaide to Canberra. Murcott wanted to raise awareness of mental illness in the wake of his daughter Shona Mai’s suicide.

Christopher Hopkins brought out the resilience of an elderly couple who lost their home to fire.

Celebrated Indigenous artist Banduk Marika is beautiful in Mihail Tsikas’ portrait, while a sense of calm pervades Victoria Baker’s portrait of her niece Lauren and her pet cockatiel.

All finalists will be pictured on the NPG website for those not able to visit Canberra. People shouldn’t forget to vote in the ­People’s Choice.

Living Memory: National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021 will be on view from July 31 until
November 7. Under 18s are free, adults are $15 and ­concession is $12.