23/08/2026
The National Portrait Gallery has announced the National Portrait Prize...what do you think of the results? 📷
Steve Parish
🏆 NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE WINNER 🏆
We're delighted to announce that Nathan Beard has won this year's National Photographic Portrait Prize for their portrait, 'Mae Khong' 2026.
'This photograph of Nathan Beard’s aunt Mae Khong has an immediate and compelling emotional pull. Through its tight composition and simple colour palette interspersed with soft blue tones, combined with the vulnerability of a private yet familiar pose, the artist creates a portrait of palpable intimacy. Even though we can’t see the subject’s face, we are drawn into a connection with her, perhaps sensing the weight of her life experiences or recognising our own loved ones in this quietly captured moment. There is both resilience and fatigue legible in Mae’s posture. With water droplets still on her skin, this is a candid scene but it also speaks to the depth of familial connection between artist and subject.' - National Photographic Portrait Prize Judges 2026
Sadly, in July this year, Mae Khong passed away. Our deepest condolences go to her family, friends and community.
Beard will receive $30,000 cash prize courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 worth of equipment courtesy of Imaging Partner Canon Australia.
📷 Check out the winning work, the other 29 finalists and the 21 works in the curated retrospective on show until Sunday 11 October.
