Prominent Lismore photographer RJ Poole was selected as a finalist in a pool of over 3,000 entries in the 2021 Australian National Photographic Portrait Prize last week. 

NPG Director Karen Quinlan also announced new Distinction Awards for Lismore artist R.J Poole for his portrait ‘Great Conjunction’.  

The Distinction Awards are a new, specially tailored mentorship prize designed to continue the National Portrait Gallery’s commitment to developing and nurturing Australian portrait photography.

Mr Poole said he was amazed to be selected as a finalist.

“I’m surprised that I was chosen to even be a finalist because I didn’t take that photograph with the portrait prize in mind, and I certainly didn’t address their subject matter in my artist statement,” he said. 

The NPPP is a stalwart of the National Portrait Gallery’s annual calendar, offering substantial cash and equipment prizes for professional, amateur and aspiring Australian photographers.  

For audiences, the exhibition offers an insight into the work of some of Australia’s best portrait photographers.

Ms Quinlan said that while the NPPP always serves up a rich tableau of humanity, the 2021 version brings particular significance. 

“While we see the bright celebration of identity, we expect from works selected for the NPPP, the portraits also reflect the maelstrom that was late 2019 and 2020, and the darkness of a period that included wide-spread fires and a pandemic.  

“Fittingly, we wanted to mark this exhibition by naming it ‘Living Memory’.

This year the NPPP judges selected 79 works, more than double the usual amount - as a way of acknowledging the impact the pandemic has had on the creative community.  

“We have increased the exhibition space in order to extend this opportunity to more artists, and we have also extended the duration of the exhibition until November, so more people can see it.  

“As usual, all finalists’ works are included on our website for those who are unable to travel,” Ms Quinlan said.

Of RJ Poole’s work, judges commented that the photo had “a beautiful range of tonality and the image is also excellent from a technical point of view.  

“The figure has a sense of apprehension and uncertainty – the situation captured could go anywhere, which is what makes this such a powerful image.”

Mr Poole said he submitted three images and they chose ‘Great Conjuncture’.

The image is one in many of a lifetime pursuit of his Anima series.

“I’m looking to evolve the Anima series as far as I can,” he said.

“I’ll drive it off a cliff, I’ve got no intention of stopping.”

Mr Poole’s winning entry can be viewed here.