ABOUT
Jacqueline Mitelman (b. Scotland) lives and works in Melbourne. Since studying photography at Prahran College under the tutelage of Athol Shmith, Paul Cox & John Cato, she has worked as a freelance photographer focusing on portraiture. A wide range of private commissions has resulted in an extensive collection of portraits of culturally significant Australians. Her works are held in public institutions and private collections in Australia and internationally.
“My photography has, since the 70’s, focused mainly, though not exclusively, on portraiture. The very best portraits have been the result of quiet exchange with the subject. My work has transitioned from traditional B&W in a studio darkroom to fully digital works however always, consistently, taken with natural night. Natural lighting creates a very special luminosity - it also allows for a nimbleness & intimacy of exchange with the subject – a distinctly different experience to a traditional studio set up.
I have had the privilege of photographing a diverse group of Australia’s significant artists, writers and thinkers. Irrespective of whether the subject is a public face or an unknown one I seek to capture some element of their “essential” best self - through the intimate process of the process of looking through the viewfinder.”
Recent Exhibitions & Awards:
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023, Finalist
Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 2020, Finalist
Bowness Photography Prize 2018, Finalist – Museum of Australian Photography
The Olive Cotton Award 2017, Finalist
Bowness Photography Prize 2016, Finalist - Museum of Australian Photography
Percival Phototrophic Portrait Prize 2016, Finalist
Percival Phototrophic Portrait Prize 2014, Finalist
On Cockatoo Island, MARS Gallery 2013, solo exhibition
Smith Street Portrait Project, Gertrude Street Projection Festival 2012
Jacqueline Mitelman, Tarrawarra Museum of Art 2012, solo exhibition
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011, Winner - National Portrait Gallery
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2010, Finalist - National Portrait Gallery
The Olive Cotton Award 2008, Finalist
Josephine Ulrick National Photography Award, 2004, Winner
Some Dogs (MARS Gallery), 2008, solo exhibition
Mostly Strange, (MARS Gallery), 2005
Investigations, Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park 2002
Photomontage, J Space Contemporary Art Centre, 2001
Dog Portraiture, Museum of Australian Photography 1999
Represented in private collections and public institutions including:
National Gallery of Victoria
National Portrait Gallery
National Library of Australia
Museum of Australian Photography
Australia Defence Force Academy Library
State Library, Victoria
Museum of Modern Art at Heide
The Tweed Regional Gallery
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Winner, National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011
Jacqueline Mitelman on her portrait of Suzi Alesandra.
‘Buddha-nature’
Australian photographer, Jacqueline Mitelman, discusses her process for creating portraiture.
Source: https://www.portrait.gov.au/stories/jacqueline-mitelman