2012 Moran Prizes are now open. The winners of this year’s 2011 Moran Prizes were announced TODAY [3 May 2011] at the State Library of NSW, selected from an outstanding field of 122,910 entries. The $300,000 prize monies and prizes will be given to the winners across all categories at the capacity gala event this evening at the State Library of NSW. The judge of the 2011 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize was esteemed Australian photographer and writer Robert McFarlane. Jack Atley has been awarded first prize of $100,000 in the Open Section of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, for his work titled World Rare Disease Day – Steve Waugh and Sarah Walker. Eleven Highly Commended prizes of $2,000 each were awarded in the Open Section: Glen Campbell, Yvonne Margarulla on Little Magella Creek; Dean Dampney, Ice Cream on the Porch; Elizabeth Looker, Eight Months and on the Porch; Nicole Ramsay, Love at First Sight; Gerard O’Connor, Beach; Matthew S Walker, Spiritual; Lachlan Moore, Mossman Gorge; Brian Cassey, Cyclone; Matthew Abbott, Kids Playing at Dhiary Outstation, Galiwinku NT; and Tamara Dean for her works, Jack in the Enchanted Garden and Only Human. The Secondary Schools Sections were awarded as follows: Years 7 and 8 winner, Laura Webster won $2,000 for We Can Win This; Years 9 and 10 winner, Tess Tavener-Hanks won $3,000 for Milk Blossom; and Years 11 and 12 winner Carly Zinga won $5,000 for Christmas on the Beach. All finalists in the Secondary Schools section will each receive $200 and primary school finalists will receive photographic equipment. The judges of this year’s Doug Moran National Portrait Prize were Louise Doyle, Director of the National Portrait Gallery and Michael Zavros, contemporary Australian artist and winner of the 2010 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. Melbourne-based artist Vincent Fantauzzo has been named the $150,000 winner of the 2011 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for his work titled, Baz Lurhmann “Off Screen”. Runner-up prize of $10,000 was awarded to Nicholas Harding, for his work titled, Rex at Maroubra 2011. Two artists were also given a commendation by the judges; Robin Eley for his portrait titled, The Shadows of His Former Self and Adam Cullen for his work titled, Michael Reid. The CEO of the Moran Arts Foundation, Mark Moran, said the prizes now receive approximately 30 million hits on the Moran Prizes website per annum. For the artists and photographers announced today, as well as finalists and indeed semi finalists, it is a true acknowledgement and endorsement of their skill and artistic perspective.” The Moran Prizes is a free exhibition at the State Library of NSW until 26 June 2011, before touring nationally. It includes 30 works from primary schools around Australia.