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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.

The Hermit, 2016

by Alex Frayne

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 Finalist

I met Royce Wells five years ago and have been compiling a series of photographs of him ever since, on an annual basis. He is the owner and occupier of Adelaide’s infamous ‘House of Psychedelia’, a run-down cottage in the affluent eastern suburbs. The ramshackle abode is covered in Royce’s 1960s flower power artwork and graffiti. The interior is more like a dilapidated museum; the backyard is replete with possum and rat carcasses. And Royce himself is one of the most stubborn, brainy, wise, misanthropic and lovable minds I have had the pleasure to know.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2017

Other NPPP photos from Alex Frayne

The 70 year old jetty jumper, 2011 by Alex Frayne
2012 Finalist
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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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