Kevin Bernardin Wins 2025 GradFoto People’s Choice Award
Ballarat Foto is pleased to announce Kevin Bernardin as the recipient of the 2025 GradFoto People’s Choice Award, following public voting across the GradFoto online exhibition.
Bernardin, a graduate of RMIT University’s Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging program, received the AUD $500 People’s Choice Award for his series Before and After Drag. The work was also recognised as Highly Commended by GradFoto 2025 judge Daniella Zalcman.
Zalcman said, ‘I’ve seen many projects with a similar conceptual framework, but this one is particularly well executed—the transition from black and white to color gives us a Wizard of Oz-style transition into rowdy, colorful, joy (but I also appreciate that the black and white “before” photos are still warm and joyful, if much quieter).’
Before and After Drag is a documentary portrait series exploring the transformation from everyday identity to drag persona through three performers: Ruby Slippers, Andii G and Roxy Rawhide. Moving between quiet, intimate moments and the vibrancy of performance, the series examines the emotional, artistic and psychological shifts that occur through drag.
GradFoto 2025 featured 20 finalists from 10 universities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Now in its sixth year, GradFoto celebrates outstanding graduating artists whose practice includes photography, providing early-career exposure and a platform to share new work with national and international audiences.
Ballarat Foto thanks everyone who voted and supported the GradFoto finalists.