Artistic Inspiration
I've been contemplating trends in contemporary Australia photographic portraiture over the past six months. After browsing the finalists of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2007 and Head On 2008, I've decided only the following subjects are allowed:
- Old people
- Indigenous Australians
- The photographer's partner and/or children
- Sick people
- People with their pets, preferably a dog
- Thespians and other artistic types.
And style must conform to one of the following devices:
- The subject must display no glimmer of happiness. In fact, suffering, especially of frail old people or anyone recovering from surgery, is preferred
- Backgrounds must either be of hip, vintage-style wallpaper or devoid of any clues as to the personality of the subject
- The portrait must not visually tell a story or provide a context.
Am I bitter? Probably. But do you think I'm right?
C'mon Betties, let me know what you think of contemporary Australian photographic portraiture? For inspiration, check out Head On (you have to register to see the finalists online) and the National Portrait Gallery.
2 comments:
HHHmmm maybe you are just bitter..... but at least we can be bitter together. i reckon you might be right though. I was disappointed that the NPPP seemed to only have big names represented. lets see what happens this year, I was going to try and make a witty comment about the contents of a winning portrait but was worried i would sound like a bigot.
long ago i decided to boycott competitions because of blinkered judges,nothings changed!! i have decided photography to me is like golf you are competing with yourself.
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