australian life online photography exhibition : finalists announced

2021 Finalist. Paul Blackmore ‘Storm Swimmer’

2021 Finalist-Drew Hopper ‘Unbearable Loss’. Taken in 2019 this image depicts visitors to the koala hospital in Port Macquarie who were able to watch the care and attention given to koalas. It shows an admission being checked by clinical director Cheyne Flanagan (at right) and Scott Castle, assistant clinical director, and volunteer Susanne Schueter. This was a diificult photo to take however Drew felt it was important to document that story. He was the only photographer on this story which was part of a shoot for National Geographic Magazine.

The Lajamanu womens team (in red) play the local Papunya womens side. This year twelve women’s teams entered the carnival – it’s only the second year of having a women’s competition, which started spontaneously last year when some of the women borrowed the mens jerseys. The women play on half sized ovals, lined by crowds on the edges shouting just as loudly as the mens game. The atmosphere is much more relaxed than the mens games, so much so that they are often played when there’s a fight in the mens tournament to lower the temperature. Once a year Football teams from all over Central Australia travel to participate in the annual Papunya Football Carnival.

Hundreds of amateur and professional photographers from around Australia have submitted entries for one of the country’s biggest annual photography prizes.

A panel of judges, including National Geographic photographer Michaela Skovranova, Magnum Photo Agency member Trent Parke and TV personality Justine Clarke, selected 28 finalist images to feature in the Australian Life online exhibition, with the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize.

From loud bursts of colour to quiet family moments, the finalist images paint a picture of Australia’s unique personalities.

“The variety of images we’ve received really demonstrate the wonderful diversity of Australia’s landscapes and communities – and of the fabulous creativity of so many Australians, ” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Each of the 28 finalists has captured a beautiful image, each portraying a unique story from many different walks of life. And each one, going beyond the famous and iconic to reveal more about what makes Australia the nation it is today.”

The 28 finalist images, and the stories behind each photograph, will feature in the Australian Life online gallery, curated by photographer Sandy Edwards. The winner will be announced by the City on 16 September.

For the first time, there will be a People’s Choice award, with a $5,000 Olympus photography pack, also to be announced on 16 September.

Australian Life is part of the City of Sydney’s year-round Art & About program of events and temporary art projects in unusual spaces throughout the city.

The photos of all finalists can be viewed on the City Of Sydney website.

Featured image : 2021 Finalist -Shelley Reis- ‘A Day In The Life Of A Summer Holiday’

David Kary

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