Chiswick Photographer's Picture of Her Mother On Display At National Portrait Gallery

Sirli Raitma won the Chiswick and Bedford Photographic competition last summer

Sirli Raitma's iconic portrait of her mother, which won the Chiswick and Bedford Park photo competition this summer was highly praised for her unusual style.

Since then, two of her photographs, including this prizewinning one of her mother Eha, were shortlisted for this year's Taylor Wessing competition. The exhibition has opened at The National Portrait Gallery and can be seen until next February.

Sirli's photographic portrait of Eha was a finalist in the shortlisted 30 entries but was so popular it was also chosen for the front cover of the Taylor Wessing book and is on display around London in posters to promote the exhibition.

Sirli, who is from Estonia, has lived in Chiswick for about six years where she raised her son and daughter. Her mother Eha came to live with her some time ago relocating from Estonia.

Raitma is a self-taught photographer. Born in Suure-Jaani in Estonia, she has lived and worked in UK since 2004.

She says: "The series Eha: Portraits of my Mother shows the photographers mother in unusual and distinctive situations, poses and dresses.She was a natural model, happy to play along with my increasingly imaginative visual fantasies, inhabiting each new concept effortlessly."

Raitma started the series in 2015, when her mother began to struggle with depression, as a way to give Eha a new focus, beyond the procession of doctors appointments.

Raitma observed that Eha became visibly more confident and engaged through the project, taking increasing pride in her appearance.

The judges in the Taylor Wessing Competition whittled down 3,000 entries to 30 finalists of which Sirli was one. There were three prizes awarded and although her portrait was not one of the prizewinners, it has been highly praised and chosen for the cover of the book which shows how much her work was held in such high esteem.

The annual Portrait Prize is one of the most prestigious photography awards in the world and showcases new work submitted by some of the most exciting contemporary photographers. Since the international competition began in 1993, it has remained a hugely important platform for portrait photographers and offers an unparalleled opportunity for celebrated professionals, emerging artists and amateurs alike.

The exhibition can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery until February 2020 admission £6.

November 10, 2019