Photographer Cinematographer Drone Pilot Artist

Aboriginal Artist Wayne Quilliam’s portrait Silent Strength 2021, depicting Aurukun man Eric Yunkaporta in ceremonial head-wear, has won the 2022 National Photographic Portrait.

Quilliam is a leading Indigenous photographic artist, curator and cultural advisor and describes the portrait as like capturing Mother Earth. “In its purest essence, the evolution of culture connects us to Mother Earth. My role as a storyteller continues to evolve and this capture is akin to a trickle of water merging into a small stream then into the ocean. This image of Eric Yunkaporta from Aurukun is Culture”.

In making their decision, the judging panel - award-winning press photographer Nick Moir together with Sandra Bruce, the National Portrait Gallery’s Director of Collection and Exhibitions and Associate Curator Rebecca Ray - said Quilliam’s portrait was a work of immense power and beauty.

“Everything about this portrait is exceptional. The composition, the contrast, the richness of the colours in the ochres and feathers, and also the sense of pride the subject is portraying – all of these layers and details carry such power in connecting the subject and his story with the audience.”

Quilliam wins $50,000 in prizes: $30,000 cash from the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 worth of Canon equipment and has announced he will gift more than half back to the Indigenous community.

Wayne Quilliam’s art and animated graphics, was shown on all four pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Vivid Sydney's First Light ceremony that acknowledges our First Nations culture. this towering projection looks at  the balance of our world and reveals how everything is connected.

Everything was created to connect, everything is living.

Our story begins with the creation. The Rainbow Serpent forms the  country – and the many totems of sea, land and the night sky that  connect to it. From the river estuaries, to the rocks, and the sea, we  see fish life and totems of the Sydney basin spring to life across the  surface.

Indigenous people make their mark, etching their stories here since  time immemorial. These markings become our mapping and knowledge  library, ensuring we understand the season, the cycles, while learning  to live and care for this ancient land.

This spectacular projection also warns us how unpredictable Country  can be. Perhaps it is best to go back and remind ourselves how it was  formed and shaped to sit as it does in the southern oceans? 

When you listen to the wind that blows across the country, feel the  sun, and look at the tidal changes, you are given greater knowledge of  our special land. Despite facing uncertain climate change, we can still  imagine and celebrate as we draw upon age-old techniques and absorb  knowledge from the past to nurture our future.