Right of Reply Photography Commission

A unique opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographers to undertake a photography commission that responds to the Powerhouse Collection.

Silhouette of a barbed arrow in front of a sunset over the ocean.
Powerhouse is the custodian of the world’s most extensive and sought-after photography collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, yet it holds very few photographs created by or for these communities. Now is the time for Powerhouse to provide the space for First Nations photographers to reshape how their communities’ stories are told by applying a critical lens to the collection.
Nathan mudyi Sentance, Head of Collections, First Nations

Powerhouse Photography is an annual program dedicated to amplifying Australian photography and lens-based practice through programs, commissions, acquisitions, publications and learning. Powerhouse Photography is supported by funds generously donated by the Australian Centre for Photography.

Powerhouse invited expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photographers to undertake a photography commission that responds to the Powerhouse Collection. Developed in collaboration with Powerhouse and including both First Nations and Powerhouse Photography teams, the project will focus on Indigenising, countering and investigating narratives of the applied arts and sciences through photography. Applicants are invited to respond to any aspect of the Powerhouse Collection.

To support their research, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to spend two weeks at Powerhouse Castle Hill with access to the Powerhouse Collection, facilitated by the Collections team.

Right of Reply Photography Commission

Submit your Expression of Interest to the First Nations Right of Reply Photography Commission.

Applications Closed

Next Open November 2025

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Powerhouse is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance, which date from 1880.

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