Dennis Wells, Behind the Fences (BLACK & WHITE 2020)

Fences can provide us with a sense of emotional security, but at what cost? There are intentionally no people portrayed in these images so that the viewer can imagine what it might be like behind these fences. Image 1. In the heart of suburbia and after living in their home for 26 years Alex and Sylvia felt they were surrounded by thieves. They surrounded their home with a vast array of security cameras, gates and bars. Four years later they are still there. Have they locked others out, or locked themselves in? Image 2. This is probably as close as most of us will get to Long Bay Jail. almost 4200 adults are on remand in Australia, waiting for their day in court not knowing when that might be. After an average stay of 60 days one third of them will be released having been found not guilty. Image 3. When these milking cows become unproductive they will be sent to slaughter at a relatively young age. Having lived a life where they are repeatedly inseminated, their baby calves taken away soon after birth, so that these mothers can be milked twice a day. Image 4. There are 472 people held in detention at The Villawood Detention Centre. Some came here seeking asylum and have claimed refugee status in order to be granted protection. Having overstayed their visas, others are awaiting deportation. They all came looking for a better life. Ninety percent of people claiming refugee status are not granted final protection visas. Their average stay at Villawood is 553 days.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.