The people have spoken and voted for their favourite in this year's National Photographic Portrait Prize.
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Kate Atkinson's The Textile Scientist, a portrait of Ruth Baig, a resident of an aged care facility in Victoria and a former textiles scientist, was the clear winner, with 1276 votes.
Atkinson traveled around Australia to meet and photograph all types of people, with only one prerequisite – they had to be over 80.
“Ruth Baig was one of the people I met in an aged care facility in Victoria. I was instantly taken by her wit, intelligence and gorgeous hair," Atkinson said.
"Ruth was well-spoken, highly-educated and a proud mother of two daughters. She told me tales of her solo travels to India, how she came to be in Australia, her poems that were published in the Manchester Guardian, and how she turned down a job at the newspaper in favour of studying textiles science at Manchester University.
“Through this project, I wanted to explore perceptions of aging, the importance of relationships and how vital they are to human existence and happiness. It is also about conversations, connections and stories. In our society, as people get older they may be treated differently or forgotten – the elderly may become seemingly invisible, but within these people are histories – exciting, incredible, rich lives … if only we take the time to ask.”
The other top ranking portraits in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019 People’s Choice Award were:
2nd place – Unbreakable by Dave Laslett – 819 votes
3rd place – Sumbawa Pride by Alex Vaughan – 805 votes
4th place – Alex by Michael Murchie – 734 votes
5th place – Portrait of Deel by Stef King – 730 votes
The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019 is on display at the Portrait Gallery in Canberra until Sunday, April 7.
