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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Polly Borland, 2015

by John Tsiavis

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 Finalist

Polly Borland, 2015

There are multiple layers at work when one looks through a camera lens. Beyond the actions of sit, point, and click, I ask “what is really being portrayed here?” This question becomes particularly complex when the subject makes her art and creates a narrative by constructing characters and interpreting them through her lens. In Polly’s deliberate projection, I find her vulnerability amplified, with a unique tension that comes when one is at the same time the photographed and the photographer.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2016
(More information, View all 49 photos)

Miles and Arkie
Ben
The Voyage
Olga and her blanket

Other NPPP photos from John Tsiavis
(More information)

Chris Lilley, 2012 by John Tsiavis
2013 Finalist
Creator versus character - Chris Lilley
2010 Finalist

Related information

Bod Polly Borland
Bod Polly Borland
Bod Polly Borland
Bod Polly Borland

In profile

Polly Borland

Magazine article by Oliver Giles, 2023

Polly Borland talks to Oliver Giles about the celebrity portraits that made her name and why she’s now making more abstract art.
Polly Borland
Polly Borland
Polly Borland
Polly Borland

Polly Borland

'Everyone wants to know the story about the Queen'

Portrait story

Australian photographer, Polly Borland, describes the hectic experience of photographing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Tan Le

'So many stars'

Portrait story

Tech entrepreneur Tan Le and photographer John Tsiavis.
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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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