Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2021

Local Kurtijar Woman Merna Beazley’s Portrait is one of four that has won Photographer David Pritchard first prize in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2021 in the United Kingdom.

The portrait is part of the Working on Cattle Stations – Aboriginal Women’s Stories photographed by David Pritchard earlier in the year. There are now three displays at the Visitor Information Centre featuring the Indigenous workers in the Carpentaria Shire. David also contributed to the commissioning of the display for the Rodeo Riders Display, also housed in the Burns Philp Building in Normanton. (the other three portraits are of: Mildred Burns, Shirley Mary Ann McPherson, and Gloria Campbell)

Six portraits taken by David were submitted to the competition and four were selected to progress to the final judging.

Mayor Jack Bawden said, “it was great news to hear that one of David’s portraits was selected as the first prize winner for this prestigious award”.

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize is one of the most prestigious photography awards in the world, celebrating the very best in contemporary portrait photography.

This year the exhibition takes place at the new arts hub Cromwell Place, London, from 10 November 2021 – 2 January 2022.

Mayor Bawden acknowledged the contributions made by First Nations people in the Shire.

“Congratulations David on winning this award and your displays now have further special meaning for our First Nations people in the work they have done, and continue to do, in the agricultural industry in the Shire” he said.

The Visitor Information Centre located in the Burns Philp Building in Landsborough Street Normanton is the must visit location for travel information and to check out the Indigenous Workers Stories.