Circle work 1

BACKGROUND This work contributes to the contemporary photographic field in Australia. Each year the Bowness Prize presents a select number of works that are deemed to be representative of contemporary photography, thus addressing the ongoing scholarly debate on what is contemporary photography in Australia. The key outlets in which this debate is playing out are within galleries such as Centre for Contemporary Photography, Monash Gallery of and Australian Centre for Photography. Key thinkers who have influenced my conceptual explorations include Arnd Schnieder and Joan Fontcuberta. CONTRIBUTION The gap in knowledge that my work addresses is how photographic processes might be as representational and perceptible as the subject being photographed to chronicle communities in ways that align with their values. This artwork explores ways communities that value healing ways and are related to the natural environment come together to form a circle during workshops and activities. The circle as a symbol is whole, continuous and inclusive. The research question could be: How might communities that value healing ways, and are related to the natural environment, be chronicled through photography in an approach that aligns with their core values? The artwork created is a cut unique silver gelatin photogram. It was created in the black and white darkroom, with a circle cutter to cut the paper into a sculptural form. Directions for future research is currently being explored via a PhD at RMIT. SIGNIFICANCE Monash Gallery of Art is a leading Australian public gallery promoting excellence, access and education within photography. The gallery develops and preserves a nationally significant collection of Australian photographic practitioners, including Carl Jerrems, Tracey Moffatt, Bill Henson and David Moore. The 2013 judging panel included artist Brook Andrew, AGNSW Senior Curator of Photographs, Judy Annear and MGA Gallery Director Shaune Lakin.一、研究背景 本研究为澳大利亚当代摄影领域贡献学术成果。鲍内斯奖（Bowness Prize）每年遴选若干件被认定为代表澳大利亚当代摄影水准的作品，以此回应学界关于“何为澳大利亚当代摄影”的持续学术讨论。当代摄影中心、莫纳什艺术画廊（Monash Gallery of Art）与澳大利亚摄影中心等画廊空间，正是这场学术论辩的核心场域。对本研究的概念探索产生重要影响的核心学者包括阿诺德·施奈德（Arnd Schnieder）与琼·方特库贝塔（Joan Fontcuberta）。 二、研究贡献 本研究旨在填补的学术空白在于：如何让摄影创作过程如同被拍摄的主题本身一样具备代表性与感知性，从而以契合社群核心价值的方式记录社群。 本作品探讨了一类社群的联结模式：这类社群秉持疗愈理念且与自然环境深度绑定，会在工作坊与各类活动中以围成圆圈的形式聚集。圆圈作为符号，象征着完整、永续与包容。本研究的核心问题可表述为：如何以契合秉持疗愈理念且与自然共生的社群之核心价值的摄影路径，对其进行系统性记录？ 本作品为一件经裁切的独特银盐明胶摄影法（silver gelatin photogram）作品：在黑白暗房中完成创作，使用圆形裁切工具将相纸加工为具有雕塑感的形态。目前，本研究的后续拓展方向正通过皇家墨尔本理工大学（RMIT）的博士项目进行探索。 三、研究意义 莫纳什艺术画廊是澳大利亚顶尖的公立摄影艺术机构，致力于推动摄影领域的卓越创作、公众普及与学术教育。该馆收藏并保护着一批具有全国影响力的澳大利亚摄影艺术家作品，涵盖卡尔·耶勒姆斯（Carl Jerrems）、特蕾西·莫法特（Tracey Moffatt）、比尔·汉森（Bill Henson）与大卫·穆尔（David Moore）等创作者。2013年鲍内斯奖的评审团成员包括艺术家布鲁克·安德鲁（Brook Andrew）、新南威尔士美术馆（AGNSW）摄影高级策展人朱迪·安妮尔（Judy Annear）以及莫纳什艺术画廊馆长尚恩·拉金（Shaune Lakin）。