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Decagon Gallery
May 2025
A Burst of Color
The beauty and energy of color
Welcome to A Burst of Color, an online exhibition that celebrates the vivid, the unexpected, and the joyful power of color in photography. In every frame, color becomes the subject—bold, expressive, and alive. From saturated cityscapes to vibrant portraits, from the subtle harmony of hues in nature to the electric clash of tones in abstraction, these photographs capture moments when color refuses to be ignored.
In a world that often leans toward the muted and monochrome, this exhibition is a visual reminder of how color can shape emotion, spark curiosity, and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether it's a single splash or a kaleidoscopic explosion, each image invites you to see the world with fresh eyes—and perhaps to feel just a little more alive.
We’re proud to present the work of photographers from around the world who responded to this call with passion, creativity, and an eye for the spectacular. Step into this gallery, and let yourself be moved by the brilliance and energy of A Burst of Color.
A note from our juror:
"Jurying A Burst of Color was such a joy. Thank you to Decagon Gallery and Director John Manno for the invitation. The works selected for this exhibition moved me on many different levels. Drawn in by color and form and held in place by emotion and mood. There were several great works which also were not included. Art like life is subjective and every juror just like every artist and photographer gravitates to a particular moment in time and place.
Sarah Rocca's portrait "Goodbye" is not only technically exceptional and compositionally interesting but also tugged at my soul. She shares with us a moment of implied vulnerability. Is she saying goodbye to her former individuality before entering into marriage or is she walking away from a traditionally expected union? Ruiqi Xiao's "Rising Sun" reveals exquisite color, detail and patterning and asks us to consider the many living organisms which nurture and sustain us. Katherine Dickson's "Destino" provides us a glimpse into a whimsical yet potentially dark narrative through portraiture, performance and collage."
With so many great works to choose from, I found myself returning to those that offered an unexpected movement and invited a longer investigation."
~Sarah Sudhoff
Click on an image to see more
First Place
Sarah Rocca
Goodbye
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, USA
Art has always been my language for navigating the complexities of the human mind. My work is an exploration of self, an ongoing dialogue between inner struggles and the transformative power of creativity. Through photographic and aerial imagery along with the written word, I seek to illuminate the unseen emotions, anxieties, and triumphs that often go unspoken.Mental health awareness is at the heart of my practice. I am deeply inspired by the resilience found in vulnerability, and I use my work to challenge stigma, foster connection, and create spaces for reflection. Each piece is a mirror of internal landscapes, raw and layered with meaning. By embracing both light and shadow, I invite viewers to engage in their own self-exploration, to find pieces of their own stories within my work.My creative process is an act of healing, a journey through introspection that allows me to externalize emotions that words cannot fully capture. I believe art has the power to bridge the gap between isolation and understanding, offering a visual language for those who may struggle to express their own experiences.Ultimately, my work is an invitation to step into the depths of emotion and celebrate the beauty in being unapologetically human.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, USA
Art has always been my language for navigating the complexities of the human mind. My work is an exploration of self, an ongoing dialogue between inner struggles and the transformative power of creativity. Through photographic and aerial imagery along with the written word, I seek to illuminate the unseen emotions, anxieties, and triumphs that often go unspoken.Mental health awareness is at the heart of my practice. I am deeply inspired by the resilience found in vulnerability, and I use my work to challenge stigma, foster connection, and create spaces for reflection. Each piece is a mirror of internal landscapes, raw and layered with meaning. By embracing both light and shadow, I invite viewers to engage in their own self-exploration, to find pieces of their own stories within my work.My creative process is an act of healing, a journey through introspection that allows me to externalize emotions that words cannot fully capture. I believe art has the power to bridge the gap between isolation and understanding, offering a visual language for those who may struggle to express their own experiences.Ultimately, my work is an invitation to step into the depths of emotion and celebrate the beauty in being unapologetically human.
Ruiqi Xiao
Rising Sun
Pasadena, CA, USA
Ruiqi Xiao is a China born photographer based in Los Angeles, specialising in film, darkroom and alternative processes.His experimental approach to photography is profoundly influenced by natural rhythms and the patterns of growth in organic matter, with recent images exploring the relationships and harmonies found in the physics of liquid interaction and the divine geometry of intersecting circles.Driven by a passion for constant innovation and a curiosity based on the interface between art and science, his work challenges the audience to think differently about what photography can be.
Pasadena, CA, USA
Ruiqi Xiao is a China born photographer based in Los Angeles, specialising in film, darkroom and alternative processes.His experimental approach to photography is profoundly influenced by natural rhythms and the patterns of growth in organic matter, with recent images exploring the relationships and harmonies found in the physics of liquid interaction and the divine geometry of intersecting circles.Driven by a passion for constant innovation and a curiosity based on the interface between art and science, his work challenges the audience to think differently about what photography can be.
Katherine Dickson
Destino
Madison, CT, USA
In my work, I embrace a vivid tapestry of uniqueness, painted by my experiences as a TBI survivor, my rich heritage, and a profound love for animals. It is within this extraordinary space that I view the world, finding an endless wellspring of creativity.
At the heart of my artistic journey lies a fascination with the intricate complexity of triptychs and series that organically multiply by three. This approach allows me to explore themes with depth, continuity, and a rhythm that I find both challenging and immensely rewarding.
My creative process is a dance between the controlled environment of my studio and the unpredictable elements of the outdoors. The latter, especially, invigorates me, inviting the serendipity of natural light, color and the untamed essence of nature into my work.
When curating props and costumes, I do so with meticulous care and enthusiasm. Each element, be it a vintage garment, a handcrafted accessory, or a natural object is chosen with an eye for detail and its significance to the story being told. These elements are not mere embellishments but pivotal characters that enrich the narrative depth and visual allure of my compositions.
Thank you for taking the time to delve into my art. My wish is that these pieces resonate with you, sparking curiosity, emotion, and perhaps a sense of connection to the stories and cultures they celebrate. It is an honor to share my creative vision with you and contribute to the rich tapestry of contemporary fine art.
Madison, CT, USA
In my work, I embrace a vivid tapestry of uniqueness, painted by my experiences as a TBI survivor, my rich heritage, and a profound love for animals. It is within this extraordinary space that I view the world, finding an endless wellspring of creativity.
At the heart of my artistic journey lies a fascination with the intricate complexity of triptychs and series that organically multiply by three. This approach allows me to explore themes with depth, continuity, and a rhythm that I find both challenging and immensely rewarding.
My creative process is a dance between the controlled environment of my studio and the unpredictable elements of the outdoors. The latter, especially, invigorates me, inviting the serendipity of natural light, color and the untamed essence of nature into my work.
When curating props and costumes, I do so with meticulous care and enthusiasm. Each element, be it a vintage garment, a handcrafted accessory, or a natural object is chosen with an eye for detail and its significance to the story being told. These elements are not mere embellishments but pivotal characters that enrich the narrative depth and visual allure of my compositions.
Thank you for taking the time to delve into my art. My wish is that these pieces resonate with you, sparking curiosity, emotion, and perhaps a sense of connection to the stories and cultures they celebrate. It is an honor to share my creative vision with you and contribute to the rich tapestry of contemporary fine art.
Pinu Rahman
Valley of Colorland
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Pinu Rahman is a self-taught, award-winning freelance photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Born in the serene town of Pirojpur and academically grounded with postgraduate degrees in Botany from the University of Dhaka, he leads a dual life — a banker by profession (AGM, Rupali Bank PLC), and an artist by passion.For over 15 years, photography has been his language of emotion and storytelling, especially in the realms of lifestyle and travel. Pinu’s work reflects a deep sensitivity to natural light and everyday beauty, capturing powerful moments that speak quietly but profoundly.His photography has earned more than 60 international awards, including the esteemed ‘Best of Nation’ honor for Bangladesh at the World Photographic Cup 2019. He has received recognition from IPA, MIFA, TIFA, PX3, HPA China, MCC Wisden, TPOTY, and many others.Pinu’s images have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Nikkei Asia, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star Etc and exhibited across global venues like London, Paris, Dubai, Athens, Kuala Lumpur, Bristol Etc.Beyond the camera, his love for storytelling extends to feature writing, reading books, and playing the flute — pursuits that shape his worldview and infuse his work with a quiet, lyrical depth.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Pinu Rahman is a self-taught, award-winning freelance photographer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Born in the serene town of Pirojpur and academically grounded with postgraduate degrees in Botany from the University of Dhaka, he leads a dual life — a banker by profession (AGM, Rupali Bank PLC), and an artist by passion.For over 15 years, photography has been his language of emotion and storytelling, especially in the realms of lifestyle and travel. Pinu’s work reflects a deep sensitivity to natural light and everyday beauty, capturing powerful moments that speak quietly but profoundly.His photography has earned more than 60 international awards, including the esteemed ‘Best of Nation’ honor for Bangladesh at the World Photographic Cup 2019. He has received recognition from IPA, MIFA, TIFA, PX3, HPA China, MCC Wisden, TPOTY, and many others.Pinu’s images have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Nikkei Asia, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star Etc and exhibited across global venues like London, Paris, Dubai, Athens, Kuala Lumpur, Bristol Etc.Beyond the camera, his love for storytelling extends to feature writing, reading books, and playing the flute — pursuits that shape his worldview and infuse his work with a quiet, lyrical depth.
Manuela Federl
Village Boy
Altenmarkt, Germany
To give a voice to people who cannot speak for themselves - that's why I started with photography and that's still the reason I do it.
Altenmarkt, Germany
To give a voice to people who cannot speak for themselves - that's why I started with photography and that's still the reason I do it.
Mary Hogan
Gum Wall
Falls Mills, VA, USA
I am a photographer and encaustic artist residing in Southwest Virginia. For almost 50 years, I’ve been capturing the world around me through my lens. While photography has always been a passionate hobby, retirement now allows me to fully dedicate myself to my art. My photographic journey began with black and white film, developing my own prints in the darkroom. I now work exclusively with digital photography and editing tools. To me, photography is all about conveying mood through light and texture.
Falls Mills, VA, USA
I am a photographer and encaustic artist residing in Southwest Virginia. For almost 50 years, I’ve been capturing the world around me through my lens. While photography has always been a passionate hobby, retirement now allows me to fully dedicate myself to my art. My photographic journey began with black and white film, developing my own prints in the darkroom. I now work exclusively with digital photography and editing tools. To me, photography is all about conveying mood through light and texture.
Mark Seaver
Bubbles and Leaves
Monrovia, MD, USA
I am retired after a 40 year career in Optical Physics. I've been photographing the natural world in all it's glory since 1980 at both large and small scales. The colors in nature range from the very dramatic to the very subtle with all of their variations playing a role in keeping the world interesting. My optical physics background gives me the knowledge about where and when to look for specific colorful events that can be fleeting and easily missed.
Monrovia, MD, USA
I am retired after a 40 year career in Optical Physics. I've been photographing the natural world in all it's glory since 1980 at both large and small scales. The colors in nature range from the very dramatic to the very subtle with all of their variations playing a role in keeping the world interesting. My optical physics background gives me the knowledge about where and when to look for specific colorful events that can be fleeting and easily missed.
Betty Wagner
The Yellow One
Odenthal, Germany
Without colors, the world would be black and white with a little veil of grey. Colors bathe the world in an unlimited light in which everything is contained.
Odenthal, Germany
Without colors, the world would be black and white with a little veil of grey. Colors bathe the world in an unlimited light in which everything is contained.
Brooke Raz
Flowing Sea
Forest, VA, USA
My name is Brooke Raz - I am a designer, artist, and photographer with a love for nature and wildlife. I love communicating creatively and showcasing the beauty of the world around me, especially in the smallest details!
Forest, VA, USA
My name is Brooke Raz - I am a designer, artist, and photographer with a love for nature and wildlife. I love communicating creatively and showcasing the beauty of the world around me, especially in the smallest details!
Becky Chapman
Crested Butte Gold
Morrison, CO, USA
The Magic is in the details. I am entranced by the smaller elements of Nature. Intimate landscapes require a slow, deep looking to discover those details…where the Magic lies.“Magic lies in between things, between the day and the night, between yellow and blue, between any two things.” – Charles de Lint
Morrison, CO, USA
The Magic is in the details. I am entranced by the smaller elements of Nature. Intimate landscapes require a slow, deep looking to discover those details…where the Magic lies.“Magic lies in between things, between the day and the night, between yellow and blue, between any two things.” – Charles de Lint
Karen Katonah
Sail Boat with Sun Ray
Boca Raton, FLA, USA
I graduated college with a minor in fine art. Over the years, I have had a number of oil paintings displayed in several local juried art shows. In 2021, I started concentrating on photography as my principle medium. In 2022, I was a finalist in the South Florida Wildlife Photo contest and a
third place winner in the Mounts Botanical Gardens Photo contest for plant life category. In 2023. I won first place in the Mounts Botanical Gardens Photo contest for Garden Sculpture category and third place for Insect Close- up category. I am currently one of fifteen artists with a photograph displayed in Palm Beach International Airport's "Bloom Where You Are Planted" exhibition which runs through October 30, 2024. I have also been an active member of the Boca Raton Camera Club and have received over 30 evaluations of 9 out of 9 for my photography entries over the past two years.
Boca Raton, FLA, USA
I graduated college with a minor in fine art. Over the years, I have had a number of oil paintings displayed in several local juried art shows. In 2021, I started concentrating on photography as my principle medium. In 2022, I was a finalist in the South Florida Wildlife Photo contest and a
third place winner in the Mounts Botanical Gardens Photo contest for plant life category. In 2023. I won first place in the Mounts Botanical Gardens Photo contest for Garden Sculpture category and third place for Insect Close- up category. I am currently one of fifteen artists with a photograph displayed in Palm Beach International Airport's "Bloom Where You Are Planted" exhibition which runs through October 30, 2024. I have also been an active member of the Boca Raton Camera Club and have received over 30 evaluations of 9 out of 9 for my photography entries over the past two years.
Monika Krontira
Skyfall
Athens, Greece
Color affects me on so deep a level that I cannot imagine a world without. Color influences how we experience the world around us, It conveys moods and feeling. Color has the power to place stress or peace and tranquility simply by its presence. That is why it is so important and necessary.
Athens, Greece
Color affects me on so deep a level that I cannot imagine a world without. Color influences how we experience the world around us, It conveys moods and feeling. Color has the power to place stress or peace and tranquility simply by its presence. That is why it is so important and necessary.
John Paul Hill
Early Years
Leek, UK
My photography practice centres on the once inhabited, liminal spaces that we find here and there in our communities. They may have once been homes, workplaces or community buildings.Within these places, I seek to capture the decay, traces of past lives, and their unfamiliarity.Inherent themes in my work are nostalgia, reminiscence and transience and my overall aim to celebrate the elegiac nature of my subject matter.
Leek, UK
My photography practice centres on the once inhabited, liminal spaces that we find here and there in our communities. They may have once been homes, workplaces or community buildings.Within these places, I seek to capture the decay, traces of past lives, and their unfamiliarity.Inherent themes in my work are nostalgia, reminiscence and transience and my overall aim to celebrate the elegiac nature of my subject matter.
Sarah Li
America
Murfreesboro, TN, USA
I grew up in a completely different country and moved to America as a teenager; experiencing a substantial cultural and environmental difference allowed me to see and understand what is happening in this world and the issues human beings face. I see photography as a way of speech as my works express my feelings about what's happening around the world and the life around me.
Murfreesboro, TN, USA
I grew up in a completely different country and moved to America as a teenager; experiencing a substantial cultural and environmental difference allowed me to see and understand what is happening in this world and the issues human beings face. I see photography as a way of speech as my works express my feelings about what's happening around the world and the life around me.
Cheryl Bomba
Small Aspirations
Pennington, NJ, USA
Native New Jerseyian Cheryl Bomba has been a resident of Mercer County for over twenty years. Cheryl became involved with photography as a special education teacher and adjunct lecturer when she bought one of the first digital cameras and began taking portraits of her students with autism. Since then, her interests have expanded to include capturing small moments in nature, architecture, and sculpture.
Cheryl’s work has been juried into many regional, national, and international exhibitions, including those at The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Grounds for Sculpture, the Monmouth Museum, the Pennsylvania Center for Photography, the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Phillips’ Mill Community Association, and the Salmagundi Club.
Cheryl's work has won numerous awards, most often for creativity and innovation. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
In addition to creating her own work, Cheryl strives to help other photographers achieve their visions as the instructor of “iPhonography at Ellarslie,” a unique course that teaches the basics of phone photography as well as its creative potential.
Artist Statement: Looking to capture small moments in life and stretch them through photography.
Pennington, NJ, USA
Native New Jerseyian Cheryl Bomba has been a resident of Mercer County for over twenty years. Cheryl became involved with photography as a special education teacher and adjunct lecturer when she bought one of the first digital cameras and began taking portraits of her students with autism. Since then, her interests have expanded to include capturing small moments in nature, architecture, and sculpture.
Cheryl’s work has been juried into many regional, national, and international exhibitions, including those at The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Grounds for Sculpture, the Monmouth Museum, the Pennsylvania Center for Photography, the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Phillips’ Mill Community Association, and the Salmagundi Club.
Cheryl's work has won numerous awards, most often for creativity and innovation. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
In addition to creating her own work, Cheryl strives to help other photographers achieve their visions as the instructor of “iPhonography at Ellarslie,” a unique course that teaches the basics of phone photography as well as its creative potential.
Artist Statement: Looking to capture small moments in life and stretch them through photography.
Nily Harel
Red Columbine
Paso Robles, CA, USA
For many years I enjoyed taking travel photography. In the last 8 years I have been more active participating in a few photography venues. After my retirement I joined Paso Robles Art Association and the Photography Guild and have been participating in the monthly exhibits since September 2018. I also participated in previous curated exhibits in Studios on the Park in Paso Robles: “The Big Little show”/APR 2019 , “Keeping the Faith”/JAN 2020 and “Walk like an Animal” / February 2025.The aspect of photography I'm into is the aesthetics- finding the composition that I like. I enjoy finding beauty and humor in the world around me, nature or urban; special or mundane.
Paso Robles, CA, USA
For many years I enjoyed taking travel photography. In the last 8 years I have been more active participating in a few photography venues. After my retirement I joined Paso Robles Art Association and the Photography Guild and have been participating in the monthly exhibits since September 2018. I also participated in previous curated exhibits in Studios on the Park in Paso Robles: “The Big Little show”/APR 2019 , “Keeping the Faith”/JAN 2020 and “Walk like an Animal” / February 2025.The aspect of photography I'm into is the aesthetics- finding the composition that I like. I enjoy finding beauty and humor in the world around me, nature or urban; special or mundane.
Amy Broderick
Prism
Jupiter, FL, USA
My work embodies my interest in noting the specific topography of everyday life, while attempting to hold fast to the daily details that get lost to the fleetingness of time. Close observation and carefully recorded moments bring order out of chaos and elegance out of the mundane. These images articulate the transience of time, juxtaposed against the materiality of daily life.
What discoveries are possible when we open our eyes to the intersection of the plain and the beautiful? What specific dreams and discoveries are possible at this point of intersection? How can the careful process of documentation reveal the wonders that reside within the details? How can we hone our descriptions of the wondrous so they may provide portals from our quiet days toward indescribable bliss?
Jupiter, FL, USA
My work embodies my interest in noting the specific topography of everyday life, while attempting to hold fast to the daily details that get lost to the fleetingness of time. Close observation and carefully recorded moments bring order out of chaos and elegance out of the mundane. These images articulate the transience of time, juxtaposed against the materiality of daily life.
What discoveries are possible when we open our eyes to the intersection of the plain and the beautiful? What specific dreams and discoveries are possible at this point of intersection? How can the careful process of documentation reveal the wonders that reside within the details? How can we hone our descriptions of the wondrous so they may provide portals from our quiet days toward indescribable bliss?
Tayler Allen-Galusha
Gone Fishing
Monrgomery, AL, USA
Much like a mirror, art is a reflection. Of much more than self, it's time, its space, the void through which we perceive and interpret not just our present but our collective history, our place and preservation within it. Art marks our ascension to a higher realm of thought, observation, representation, and introspective reflective embodiment. It is so all-inclusive that it has not only the ability to show us where we began but also the power to change what we'll become. Tayler uses a variety of mixed media to explore these and other uniquely human experiences lived from all of our lives that add to our collective understanding of what it is to be human((e)(ity)). Their work hopes to facilitate a greater sense of these and our relationships with obligatory growth.
Monrgomery, AL, USA
Much like a mirror, art is a reflection. Of much more than self, it's time, its space, the void through which we perceive and interpret not just our present but our collective history, our place and preservation within it. Art marks our ascension to a higher realm of thought, observation, representation, and introspective reflective embodiment. It is so all-inclusive that it has not only the ability to show us where we began but also the power to change what we'll become. Tayler uses a variety of mixed media to explore these and other uniquely human experiences lived from all of our lives that add to our collective understanding of what it is to be human((e)(ity)). Their work hopes to facilitate a greater sense of these and our relationships with obligatory growth.
Greg McDonald
C'est l'amour
Los Angeles, CA, USA
I take photos because I’m no good on the guitar. If I was, I would’ve formed a band and drove from gig to gig in my (now sold) black 80s cargo van. So I settled. A camera could be fun I guess. Photography for me is an extension of filmmaking. It's just another avenue for storytelling. And telling stories is the best way for me to communicate and to connect with the world. My aim is create stories through character, composition, environment and color. All elements I try to incorporate to shape a story in an image.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
I take photos because I’m no good on the guitar. If I was, I would’ve formed a band and drove from gig to gig in my (now sold) black 80s cargo van. So I settled. A camera could be fun I guess. Photography for me is an extension of filmmaking. It's just another avenue for storytelling. And telling stories is the best way for me to communicate and to connect with the world. My aim is create stories through character, composition, environment and color. All elements I try to incorporate to shape a story in an image.
Gonzalo Figueroa
Twilight
Madrid, Spain
I find beauty in the everyday—the quiet poetry of ordinary moments, the way light transforms the mundane into something extraordinary. Through my lens, I seek to capture the unnoticed details that tell a story, revealing depth and emotion in places often overlooked. My photography is an invitation to pause, observe, and appreciate the art hidden in the simplicity of the world around us.
Madrid, Spain
I find beauty in the everyday—the quiet poetry of ordinary moments, the way light transforms the mundane into something extraordinary. Through my lens, I seek to capture the unnoticed details that tell a story, revealing depth and emotion in places often overlooked. My photography is an invitation to pause, observe, and appreciate the art hidden in the simplicity of the world around us.
Ann Wolfe
Homer Fishing Boat
White Bear Lake, MN, USA
When I was four years old I asked for, and received, a camera for Christmas. I still have my Brownie Instamatic camera from the 1960s, in the box! I graduated from college with an art minor, photography emphasis. The first photograph I sold was of a dilapidated farmstead that was printed in the local newspaper. Price: $20.
As a young adult I would take my very heavy bodied Nikon film camera on walks with me. On one excursion I came across some abandoned automobiles in disrepair which led to an exhibit at a local camera store.
I have entered the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts contest nine times and have been accepted four times. It is very hard to get into.
White Bear Lake, MN, USA
When I was four years old I asked for, and received, a camera for Christmas. I still have my Brownie Instamatic camera from the 1960s, in the box! I graduated from college with an art minor, photography emphasis. The first photograph I sold was of a dilapidated farmstead that was printed in the local newspaper. Price: $20.
As a young adult I would take my very heavy bodied Nikon film camera on walks with me. On one excursion I came across some abandoned automobiles in disrepair which led to an exhibit at a local camera store.
I have entered the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts contest nine times and have been accepted four times. It is very hard to get into.
Danielle Press
Cape Tryon Light From Below
Edgewater, MD, USA
Born to a long line of photographers from Brooklyn, NY, I've lived all over the US and enjoy a lengthy road trip to see new things around the country, and our neighbor above. When it comes to landscapes, I love a quiet serenity, something that makes me feel still, even as the world moves around me, and the scenes I shoot hopefully reflect that feeling.
Edgewater, MD, USA
Born to a long line of photographers from Brooklyn, NY, I've lived all over the US and enjoy a lengthy road trip to see new things around the country, and our neighbor above. When it comes to landscapes, I love a quiet serenity, something that makes me feel still, even as the world moves around me, and the scenes I shoot hopefully reflect that feeling.
Xiuzhuo Zhou
Turquoise Surge
Southampton, UK
Xiuzhuo Zhouis a photographer and narrator of the inner world, whose work explores the subtle interplay between emotion, memory, and philosophical reflection. Originally from Hubei, China and now based in Southampton, UK, Zhou specializes in realistic photographic styles that capture the often-overlooked poetics of everyday life. His practice spans photography, installation, and new media, integrating technological approaches such as collage and AI-generated imagery to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. Zhou’s work centers on themes of identity, temporality, and existential inquiry—focusing on how individuals navigate and preserve a sense of self amid rapid societal change. Through precise documentation and quiet observation, he reveals moments of humor, introspection, and quiet beauty, inviting viewers to re-examine their inner states and find meaning within the ordinary.
Southampton, UK
Xiuzhuo Zhouis a photographer and narrator of the inner world, whose work explores the subtle interplay between emotion, memory, and philosophical reflection. Originally from Hubei, China and now based in Southampton, UK, Zhou specializes in realistic photographic styles that capture the often-overlooked poetics of everyday life. His practice spans photography, installation, and new media, integrating technological approaches such as collage and AI-generated imagery to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. Zhou’s work centers on themes of identity, temporality, and existential inquiry—focusing on how individuals navigate and preserve a sense of self amid rapid societal change. Through precise documentation and quiet observation, he reveals moments of humor, introspection, and quiet beauty, inviting viewers to re-examine their inner states and find meaning within the ordinary.
Arianna Partemi
Golden Sanctuary
Melbourne, Australia
Arianna Partemi is an emerging photographer from Melbourne, Australia, originally from Italy.
Through her photography, she explores the delicate connection between nature and emotion, capturing unseen moments of life with a dreamlike sensibility.
Her work invites viewers into a space of wonder, reflection, and hidden stories, revealing the fragile beauty often overlooked in the natural world.
Melbourne, Australia
Arianna Partemi is an emerging photographer from Melbourne, Australia, originally from Italy.
Through her photography, she explores the delicate connection between nature and emotion, capturing unseen moments of life with a dreamlike sensibility.
Her work invites viewers into a space of wonder, reflection, and hidden stories, revealing the fragile beauty often overlooked in the natural world.
Olena Morozova
Floral 54
Kyiv, Ukraine
I am a multidisciplinary artist. My work is an exploration of memory, identity, corporeality and human interaction with space and time. I am interested in states of unspokenness - what is hidden behind masks, gestures, colours, states. I often address themes of family connections, mental and emotional transformation, loss, trauma, emigration, exploring how personal experience affects perceptions of self and the world around us. It is important to me to explore how the individual dissolves and simultaneously manifests in form, nature, and portraiture.I work with photography, collage, drawing and installation. Through an intuitive dialogue with materials and characters, I create images that combine the documentary with the personal, visualising what is difficult to put into words - presence, trace, inner changes. One of the key visual tools is the colour red as a symbol of life, body, blood, pain, trauma, tension, vulnerability, strength, love. Red is a pulse, an inner movement, an emotion. In my works red is a way of talking about what is not spoken, but felt with every cell.Living between Ukraine and Poland, I feel the themes of war, loss, searching for home and the formation of a new collective memory particularly acutely. My art is a way of seeing and feeling, a way of transforming inner experience into a visual language that triggers dialogue, empathy and provokes rethinking. For me, it is a form of presence and an attempt to hold on to the fragile, the ephemeral.
Kyiv, Ukraine
I am a multidisciplinary artist. My work is an exploration of memory, identity, corporeality and human interaction with space and time. I am interested in states of unspokenness - what is hidden behind masks, gestures, colours, states. I often address themes of family connections, mental and emotional transformation, loss, trauma, emigration, exploring how personal experience affects perceptions of self and the world around us. It is important to me to explore how the individual dissolves and simultaneously manifests in form, nature, and portraiture.I work with photography, collage, drawing and installation. Through an intuitive dialogue with materials and characters, I create images that combine the documentary with the personal, visualising what is difficult to put into words - presence, trace, inner changes. One of the key visual tools is the colour red as a symbol of life, body, blood, pain, trauma, tension, vulnerability, strength, love. Red is a pulse, an inner movement, an emotion. In my works red is a way of talking about what is not spoken, but felt with every cell.Living between Ukraine and Poland, I feel the themes of war, loss, searching for home and the formation of a new collective memory particularly acutely. My art is a way of seeing and feeling, a way of transforming inner experience into a visual language that triggers dialogue, empathy and provokes rethinking. For me, it is a form of presence and an attempt to hold on to the fragile, the ephemeral.
Second Place
Honorable Mention
Third Place
Honorable Mention
Director's Choice
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