Bowness Photography Prize Finalist

A big day for me. My work ’The wound is the place where the light enters - cut-throat finch’ has been selected as a finalist in the Bowness Photography Prize.

There were over 1,000 entries and an esteemed judging panel; I am happy to be part of a wonderful selection of photographic artists.⁣

The image was conceived as a response to the Australian bushfires; the grief I felt about letting our wild places down. From its conception, at a deeper level it symbolises the struggle for survival inherent to all life, this year has been a big year for all that live on this beautiful planet.

The title is named for a quote from the Persian poet Rumi. The light that spills from the bird’s ‘wounded neck’ symbolises the triumph of hope over despair, the transformation of loss into action. It is a visual manifestation of Rumi’s insight – that destruction can highlight what is precious and the pain can help us move towards love.