Photography ProtégésYoung Surrealists Photography Competition

Max Dupain, No title (Solarised hands and flowers) c.1935, gelatin silver photograph, 37.5 x 27 cm, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, purchased 2007, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation

Man Ray and Max Dupain brings together more than 200 artworks by two leading surrealist photographers. Both artists experimented with surreal imagery, inventive darkroom techniques and creative collaborations that expanded the possibilities of photography.

To celebrate the exhibition, Photography Protégés was a competition for young photographers, asking entrants to take inspiration from the work of Man Ray and Max Dupain for their own entry. Displayed below are the winners from the Junior (7–11 year old) and Senior (12–17 year old) categrories alongisde a selection of inspiring entries from across the competition.

Congratulations to everyone who entered. We were blown away with the response and by the care and creativity shown in your work. Thank you!

Make sure to look out for more competitions and opportunities in the future!

Senior Winner

Aidan Duns
The Whispers

‘I wanted to create a dreamy, mysterious feeling. The shadows represent thoughts that are hidden and cannot be heard. The shell is the way to listen to those quiet parts of yourself.’

Junior Category

Junior Winner

Daisy Waller
Bubble Reflections

‘I made this picture with bubble wrap of my mum, I took the photo with my dad’s camera. I liked that the bubble wrap made it look like bubbles floating in the air, because it made my mum look like a human made of bubbles. Plus I love playing with bubbles. Can you see the pose my mum is making?’