
Martin Kantor Portrait Prize 2017 Gallery
The 2017 Martin Kantor Exhibition is the inaugural $15,000 acquisitive prize awarded for a photographic artwork of a significant, living Australian in the fields of art, letters, science, sport or politics. Named in honour of Martin Kantor who was a photographer and philanthropist known for his arresting portraits of famous musicians and artists like Iggy Pop, Howard Arkley, painter Adam Cullen and conceptual artist Dale Frank. Kantor’s image of Mark Seymour, the lead singer of Hunters and Collectors, was used by the band for an album cover and is a classic representation of Australian rock and roll. Kantor founded the well-known St Kilda gallery Brightspace and was a strong supporter of indigenous and environmental causes.
Judges
- Naomi Cass
- Isobel Crombie
- Leonard Vary
“Located within a tradition of black and white portraiture, the judges found this work to speak of an intimacy and trust between the sitter and photographer. The subject leans forward and looks both at the viewer and into the distance creating an open and yet determined portrait. With hair pulled back and a beautiful gesture of the hands, the subject appears to make a call to both contemplation and action. A mature subject rendered with inner strength, dignity and respect. This photograph was unanimously selected as the winner. As the inaugural winner of the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize, the judges felt that Elli Bardas’ Vicki Vidor OAM reflected Martin’s practice of documenting a time and place and his honouring of friendships and relationships.”
Supported by the Dara Foundation.


Chris Budgeon
Dr. Genevieve Goulding, 2016

Brian Cassey
Noel Pearson, 2015

David Darcy
Bryan Brown, 2015

Tamara Dean
Erik Jensen, 2009

George Fetting
Lee Lee Chin, 2005

Hilary Finch
Barry Humphries, 2017

James Geer
Bill Henson, 2017

John Gollings
Barrie Kosky, 1995

Luke Hemer
Scott Hicks, 2007

Pia Johnson
Tim Rogers, 2012

Tony Kearney
Linda Syddick Tjungkiya Napaltjarri, 2017

Helga Leunig
Courtney Barnett, 2015

Robyn MacRae
Peter Batey OAM, 2017

Rod McNicol
Jack Charles, 2017

Ferne Millen
Archie Roach, 2014

Nadia Moth
Nick Cave, 2017

Ilona Nelson
Patricia Piccinini, 2016

Emma Phillips
Alicia Eva, 2012

Emma Phillips
Wil Anderson, 2013

Claudio Raschella
Frank Ford AM, 2016

Matt Ray
John Long, 2017

Pippa Samaya
Tara Jade Samaya, 2016

Jacqui Stockdale
Paul Kelly, 2016

Christian Thompson
Christian Thompson, 2017

Tobias Titz
Andrew Chapman AO, 2016

Peter Whyte
Fiona Hall, 2017
