Acknowledgement of Country

BIFB Inc. acknowledges that we are meeting, creating and working on the traditional land of the Wadawurrung and and Dja Dja Wurrung People. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage beliefs and relationship with the land. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.

2023 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize People’s Choice Award

View the selected finalists and cast your vote below for the winner of the 2023 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize People’s Choice Award. The winning photographer will receive $1,000 cash prize.

We are honoured to present the 2023 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize. This exhibition presents the award finalists at the Ballarat Town Hall from 26 August to 22 October. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the exhibition contains images of deceased persons.

Julie Kantor and Michael Kantor have graciously sponsored this award in memory of their late brother, Martin Kantor. The acquisitive first prize of $15,000 is awarded to an exceptional portrait of a significant Australian recognised within their field of art, letters, science, sport or politics.

Martin was a photographer and philanthropist known for his arresting portraits of famous musicians and artists like Iggy Pop, Grace Jones, Paul Kelly, painter Adam Cullen, Howard Arkley, and conceptual artist Dale Frank. The Australian band, Hunters and Collectors, used his image of the lead singer, Mark Seymour, for an album cover that is a classic representation of Australian rock and roll. Martin founded the well-known St Kilda gallery, Brightspace, and strongly supported environmental causes and First Nations and reconciliation.

Voting has now closed.