Melbourne Artist Wins $30K for Portrait of Beloved Aunt

A quiet moment of strength became award-winning art when Melbourne artist Nathan Beard photographed his aunt Mae Khong bathing herself after a frightening fall at home in Thailand.

The intimate portrait just won Beard the $30,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize, Australia's most prestigious photography award. The image shows Mae from behind, her face hidden, as she insisted on caring for herself despite the shock of her accident.

"She insisted that evening, even after the shock of the event, to bathe herself, and to do so independently," Beard said. You can't see her face, but the photograph radiates both vulnerability and incredible inner strength.

Mae died in July, before learning her nephew won the national competition. "It is bittersweet being recognised for the award because it's sort of a final gift of hers to me," Beard said.

The National Portrait Gallery's Isobel Parker Philip said the photograph's power lies in its universality. "You might look at it and see one of your loved ones; you can read the many, many years of her life experiences in the frame," she explained.

Why This Inspires

Beard's aunt never understood why he found her so captivating as a subject. "She always thought it was silly that someone would think her worthy of that sort of status," he said.

But Mae was an influential figure in fostering Beard's cultural pride in his Australian-Thai heritage. Through his lens, he showed the world what she couldn't see in herself: a woman worthy of celebration.

The win comes with $30,000 in prize money plus $20,000 worth of camera equipment. More importantly, it immortalizes Mae's quiet dignity at a vulnerable moment.

The winning photo was selected from over 1,000 entries showcasing moments of joy, humor, and tenderness from across Australia. This year marks the final iteration of the prize in its current 19-year format, with a new model launching in 2027.

Mae's legacy now lives in one of Australia's most celebrated photographic portraits, a final gift that keeps giving.

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