Sydney photographer wins $10k Australian Life Photo comp

Sydney photographer Joshua Morris has won the $10,000 first prize in the 2018 Australian Life photographic competition, as part of the City of Sydney’s Art and About.

Morris' image ‘Pepa Molina and some of the residents of the Parque Habitacional’ was selected from nearly 2500 entries in the prestigious award.

The winning picture is a portrait of flamenco artist Pepa Molina, in the Parque Habitacional - a Spanish speaking retirement village in Sydney’s Rooty Hill. The image, commissioned by Blacktown Arts as part of their Creative Residency program,
documents Molina’s work ‘Perceptions’, which explores the intuitive understanding, cultural stereotypes and clichés through flamenco.

“The shoot was a really beautiful one - a great juxtaposition of elements and energy” said Morris. “It was a real thrill to be selected as the winner, especially given the talent of my fellow finalists and the standing of the judges.”

Ken Done, celebrated artist and one of the judges, reflected on the image -“I think it’s a very sensitive, well-constructed picture – it’s an unconscious piece of beautiful composition.”

Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore presented the prize to Morris at Hyde Park where the 22 finalists' works will be displayed until Sunday October 7.

You can see more of the winners at artandabout.com.au.