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GRADUATE
PHOTOGRAPHY
ONLINE 2023

Each year as part of Graduate Photography Online we ask a number of professionals from the world of photography to review all the BA work submitted and choose their favourites. We hope this makes an interesting introduction to the project as a whole.

Sebah Chaudhry

Creative Producer & Curator

@sebahchaudhry

I was grateful to be asked to be on the selection panel for Graduate Photography Online 2023. Having been a jury member on different prizes, I am glad I am able to see the work of so many students and be able to make a selection for Source Magazine. I really enjoyed viewing the submissions from the BA Graduates. As well as seeing the difference in everyone’s work, it was interesting to see similar themes emerge throughout the UK. These students spent the first and some of second year in lockdown, and it will have had an impact on their learning. To see such high quality work, even though they have been through Covid, was a testament to their hard work. It was also good to see less projects explored Covid, and though this is something in the not so distant past, it will not control the future. I wish all the students the best of luck in their careers!

Selected Photographers:

Natalie Ashbrook

Selector's Comment: I was immediately drawn to Natalie’s work – at first glance, the images appear playful, as the artist poses with props. On further exploration, the carefully constructed scenes explore grief. The artists face appears hard to read, emotionless, not making eye contact with the viewer. But through her gaze, we see hopelessness and the stages of grief that have consumed her, as she must find a way to live with this grief that has forever changed her life. The combination of the black and white and colour images add to the surreal series, and you are left wanting more.

Peter Bjoerk

Selector's Comment: Peter’s series, 'Sacred Geometry' is a conceptual but timeless series. The black and white images explore themes of presence and time. Seeking out places of mystery and heritage, he finds and photographs pyramids and shapes, combined with images capturing star-like movement. You are left questioning the authenticity of these sculptures, are they real or ethereal?

Spencer Glover

Selector's Comment: In 'The Chosen People', Spencer examines the recently found family archive of his great-grandfather. A letter sparks the investigation, as he pieces together images of strangers. The images are carefully juxtaposed next to each other, showing a version of truth that perhaps choose to believe. Are the images really his great-grandfathers? Is the letter real? The boundaries of truth and fiction are blurred as the viewer is left intrigued.

Maya Brasington

Selector's Comment: 'Magic Isle' as insinuated, is an almost magical series that reimagines identity and belonging. The images seem to be images from her personal family archive, but Maya works with archival, new and found imagery. She explores her mixed heritage with her family, imagining a different life in a faraway unknown place. The images could easily be taken in Barbados or the UK. As the viewer explores the images, you get a sense of nostalgia and feel the magical presence the images have, questioning your own identity and your homeland.

Haneen Hadiy

Selector's Comment: 'The Mother of The Motherland' sees Haneen focus on climate change in a simple way, through date palms. As well as being a source of energy and feeding people since the beginning of time, dates are highly regarded in Islam, and eaten by Muslims across the world during Ramadan. Haneen creates beautiful images to bring to attention the recent drought in her home country of Iraq, and the affect climate change has, and how it will affect the country in the coming years.

Derby Nii Amarh Ashitei

Selector's Comment: Those Left Behind is a very intimate series that delves into Derby's family life following the loss of his wife. As well as documenting his family in this difficult time, it is an act as a therapy for Derby as he captures this moment of time in their lives, trying to adjust to the new normal. It is a raw and beautiful portait of closeness to the members of his family, especially his daughters. The intimate private everyday moments convey sadness and hope, and by creating and showing this work, it will hopefully give the artist some peace and hopefulness for new beginnings.

Selection by Chris Boot ▸
Curator & Book Publisher

Selection by Taous Dahmani ▸
Art Historian, Writer & Curator

View Submission Guidelines  ▸