I’m delighted to have been selected as a finalist in the 2014 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize, presented by Monash Gallery of Art.
My photograph J, South Sudan (2013), from the series Australia, a New Chapter, was selected for the finalist exhibition, held from 4 September to 12 October 2014.
J, South Sudan (2013)
From the series Australia, a New Chapter
Chromogenic print
100 × 76 cm
Artist statement
J, South Sudan is part of my photographic exploration of migration, identity and belonging in contemporary Australia.
At a time when refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat were increasingly portrayed as a faceless group, often reduced to the label of ‘boat people’, I wanted to shift the focus back to the individual. Behind every statistic and public debate is a person with a history, a story, hopes and dreams.
Through my portraits of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, I explore the human experience of migration and the complexities of building a new life in an unfamiliar country.
My interest in these stories is deeply personal. As a Polish-born migrant to Australia, I understand something of the experience of leaving one world behind while learning to belong to another. Photography has become a way for me to connect with others, explore our shared experiences and make sense of my own place within Australia’s evolving cultural landscape.
Above all, this series is about seeing people as individuals, recognising our differences while discovering the experiences that connect us.
About the Bowness Photography Prize
The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize is one of Australia’s established photography awards, recognising excellence in contemporary photographic practice. The 2014 exhibition brought together 48 finalists, with Petrina Hicks awarded the $25,000 first prize.
Exhibition: 4 September – 12 October 2014
Venue: Monash Gallery of Art, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne
View the 2014 Bowness Photography Prize exhibition and finalists
Opening night coverage by Greg Briggs