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.
‘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.’
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.
2025 Recipient
Jo-Anne Driessens was raised in Brisbane, Queensland and is Guwa-Koa, Gungarri, Kuku Yalanji descendant. Having completed a photography cadetship in 1999 at the State Library of Queensland, Jo-Anne continued working as a photographer and also across various arts and curatorial specialised roles, including archival and anthropological research, exhibition programs and Aboriginal Family history support. These skills have and continue to provide a holistic approach towards specialised creative projects since the mid 90's.
For Driessens the camera is an important tool for capturing the preservation of living culture in First Nations communities. This tool will remain central in Driessens’ commission project as she collaborates with Powerhouse staff, First Nations knowledge keepers, cultural advisers and Country to create an experimental pin hole camera with natural materials.
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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Initiatives
We support and invest in a range of initiatives that sustain industry development and individual creative practice across the applied arts, applied sciences and creative industries.
Powerhouse Photography
An ongoing series of programs, commissions, acquisitions, publications, learning and research activities dedicated to the promotion and development of photography in Australia.
First Nations
Powerhouse is committed to applying Indigenous ways of working across all sites and areas of practice.
Powerhouse Collection
Powerhouse is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance, which date from 1880.