• 2011 winner. © Jacky Redgate. Light throw (mirrors) #4, 2011, from the series Light throw (mirrors) 2009–11. Chromogenic print 126.5 x 159cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
    2011 winner. © Jacky Redgate. Light throw (mirrors) #4, 2011, from the series Light throw (mirrors) 2009–11. Chromogenic print 126.5 x 159cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
  • 2012 winner. © Jesse Marlow. Laser vision, 2011, from the series, Don't just tell them, show them. Chromogenic print 50.8 x 74cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
    2012 winner. © Jesse Marlow. Laser vision, 2011, from the series, Don't just tell them, show them. Chromogenic print 50.8 x 74cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
  • 2013 winner. © Pat Brassington. Shadow boxer, 2013, from the series, Quill. Pigment ink-jet print 72 x 50cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection. Courtesy of the artist and ARC ONE Gallery (Melbourne).
    2013 winner. © Pat Brassington. Shadow boxer, 2013, from the series, Quill. Pigment ink-jet print 72 x 50cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection. Courtesy of the artist and ARC ONE Gallery (Melbourne).
  • 2014 winner. © Petrina Hicks. Venus, 2013, from the series, The shadows. Pigment ink-jet print 100 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection. Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
    2014 winner. © Petrina Hicks. Venus, 2013, from the series, The shadows. Pigment ink-jet print 100 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection. Courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
  • 2015 winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014, from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
    2015 winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014, from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
  • 2016 winner. © Valerie Sparks. Prospero's Island – North East 2016, from the series, Prospero's Island. Pigment ink-jet print 140 x 220cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
    2016 winner. © Valerie Sparks. Prospero's Island – North East 2016, from the series, Prospero's Island. Pigment ink-jet print 140 x 220cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist.
  • Delphi 2016, from the series, Eden. Pigment ink-jet print, 127.5 x 85.0 cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection donated by MGA Foundation 2017. Courtesy of the Estate of Polixeni Papapetrou and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin). © Polixeni Papapetrou.
    Delphi 2016, from the series, Eden. Pigment ink-jet print, 127.5 x 85.0 cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection donated by MGA Foundation 2017. Courtesy of the Estate of Polixeni Papapetrou and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin). © Polixeni Papapetrou.
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Call for entries: $30,000 Bowness Photography Prize

5 June 2018

Established in 2006 to promote excellence in photography across all photographic media and stylistic genres, the annual William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize call for entries is open. The deadline is 11 July. All film-based and digital work from amateurs and professionals is accepted and there are no thematic restrictions, except that work must have been produced in the last year. The judges will award an acquisitive cash prize of $30,000 for the winning work, plus three Honourable Mentions will also be acknowledged.

2015 winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014, from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
2015 winner. © Joseph McGlennon. Florilegium #1, 2014, from the series, Florilegium. Pigment ink-jet print 127 x 100cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).

The prize has become an important survey of contemporary photographic practice and one of the most prestigious prizes in the country, providing Australian photographers with the opportunity to exhibit at one of Australia's leading public galleries. 2017 saw two exciting developments with the prize becoming acquisitive and the cash prize awarded to the winner increased to $30,000 to ensure that the prize continues to provide a significant boost to a photographer’s career.

Anouska Phizacklea, MGA Director commented that ‘As the only public institution dedicated to the collection and promotion of Australian photography, MGA holds a special place in the nation’s network of art galleries and museums. The Bowness Photography Prize plays an important part in MGA’s role as ‘the Australian home of photography’, one that recognises exemplary work and champions Australian photographic artists.”

Delphi 2016, from the series, Eden. Pigment ink-jet print, 127.5 x 85.0 cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection donated by MGA Foundation 2017. Courtesy of the Estate of Polixeni Papapetrou and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin). © Polixeni Papapetrou.
Delphi 2016, from the series, Eden. Pigment ink-jet print, 127.5 x 85.0 cm. Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection donated by MGA Foundation 2017. Courtesy of the Estate of Polixeni Papapetrou and Michael Reid (Sydney + Berlin).
© Polixeni Papapetrou.

Polixeni Papapetrou, one of Australia’s most celebrated artists, sadly passed away earlier this year after a long battle with cancer. She was awarded the 2017 Bowness Photography Prize and upon receiving the prize commented that ‘I am so delighted to receive the Bowness Photography Prize and to enter the circle of artists who have won in the past… For me, the crowning thrill comes with knowing that the Bowness Photography Prize is now an acquisitive prize, which means that my work ‘Delphi’ now belongs to the MGA Collection. For my works to belong to this historically crucial institution is a great honour that fills me with pride and gratitude.’

Previous Bowness Photography Prize winners

2017 Polixeni Papapetrou
2016 Valerie Sparks
2015 Joseph McGlennon
2014 Petrina Hicks
2013 Pat Brassington
2012 Jesse Marlow
2011 Jacky Redgate
2010 Lee Grant
2009 Paul Knight
2008 Nat Thomas & Concertina Inserra
2007 Ray Cook
2006 Kathy Mackey