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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Lunch at Fran's, 2022

Abigail Varney

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022 Finalist

digital print on paper (frame: 82.6cm x 122.7cm depth 6.0cm)

'I'm not thinking, "poor me, I'm on my own". I'm reconciling with living alone. It's such an abnormal state, Peter and I used to talk a lot.'

Fran passed me a plate of Gorgonzola and tomatoes, to go with the bread she'd made that morning. As she spoke I found myself thinking of my mum; who she might have been as an older woman, the quiet places she left behind. Fran and I chatted away the afternoon in her pearl-grey apartment while the sun drifted in. I felt lucky to share this quiet place with her.

Courtesy of the artist

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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