I am absolutely delighted to have won FIRST PRIZE for photography in the ArtGemini 2015 international art competition with “Ode to Mortality”!
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the lovely judges Zoe Whishaw and Vanessa Champion, and to Jimmy Lek for organising the whole thing including the wonderful private view on the 22nd September, when the winners were announced.
Thanks to all my friends who braved the elements to share the moment with me.
The finalists’ exhibition is on until this Saturday afternoon (26th September), so if you’re in the Waterloo area do please pop in — there are some fantastic pieces on show, including works by my friends Fiona Roberts and Annamarie Dzendrowskyj (Annamarie won second prize in the painting category).
My winning image is the one below of cherry blossoms (sakura) floating on a pond over a tree reflection at the Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. It aims to capture something of the essence of sakura season in Japan. The arrival of the sakura (usually in early April) heralds the start of a period of intense celebration followed by reflection on mortality and the transience of beauty.
Vanessa Champion, one of the ArtGemini Prize judges, said about “Ode to Mortality”: “‘Such ethereal delicacy’ was my first impression of Adriaan’s piece. A gentle pictorial representation of sakura. It was only when I got closer to the image that I saw the delicate petals resting transiently on the water, the silhouetted branches reflected ghostly in the distance. Truly beautiful. The composition, the concept and the execution. There was no hesitation in awarding him the first prize.”
Zoe Whishaw – another of the judges – explained her decision to vote for Adriaan’s picture as follows: “The winning photography entry by Adriaan caught the Judges’ imagination instantly: there is a wonderful ‘ah-ha’ moment when you pause in front of the large print and allow the gentle layers of the image to enter your consciousness. Rather than a central focus to the image, the more random arrangement of the pale petals pulls the eye around the entirety of the picture. This is a photograph which has a presence and timeless quality that will be enjoyed for a long time.”
For limited edition prints please visit my Shop. There are currently four prints remaining in the 40 x 27 inches edition of five.
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