Jonathan Gu, Twilight Blaze (ART 2023)

I spent much of my time during lockdown reflecting on the legacies of bushfires and the passage of time -- how they leave lasting imprints on the land, and how they bring a dichotomy of destruction and rebirth. These three photographs are all handheld single-exposures captured through multi-second shutter speeds, the product of hours and days of experimentation, and inspiration from the late abstract landscapes of JMW Turner. By using long exposures at twilight and body movement, I captured a passage of time to reach back into memories of bushfires embedded in the woodlands of NSW (Warrumbungles) and Victoria (Melbourne). The resulting photographs are impressions of resilient landscapes moulded by fire, with capillary-like tree trunks and foliage eventually re-emerging from the charred silhouettes left behind by the flames.

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