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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.

Kumantjayi, 2010

by Rhett Hammerton

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 Finalist

Kumantjayi Raggett comes from Luritja country. His 13 years have been tumultuous, being raised by family and having little contact with his biological parents. Despite learning difficulties, Kumantjayi speaks West Arrernte, Luritja, and Pitjantjatjara as well as English. Whilst being educated in the traditional ways of his heritage, the influence of Western culture, in particular gangster rap, is a persistent distraction. 'Kumantjayi' is a traditional name used to replace a person's original name when it is the same as, or similar to, that of a deceased person.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011

Other NPPP photos from Rhett Hammerton

Nyangatja Ngayuku Mara (These are my hands), 2023 Rhett Hammerton
2024 Finalist
Pulangkita pitjangu (When the blanket came), 2019 Rene Kulitja and Rhett Hammerton
2020 Finalist
Katherine, NT / Harrietville, VIC, 2017 by Rhett Hammerton
2018 Finalist
Cliffy, 2015 by Rhett Hammerton
2016 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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