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In the recent Crowbar Awards 2015 for budding creatives, 15 Communication Design students and fresh graduates from the Glasgow School of Art bagged 4 Golds, 2 Silvers, 6 Bronzes and 7 finalists across the Design, Photography and special SG50 categories. We chat with some of the winners of the Photography category.
GEORGINA TAN LI YING, GSA COMMUNICATION DESIGN GRADUATE
Entry Title: Wonderwall
Award: Gold
Wonderwall is Georgina’s final year project. She worked on it for nine months.
White dots on the photograph lend a tangible quality to light falling.
Light now exudes an otherworldly charm.
Where are you currently working?
I’m a designer at Naiise – an online, and brick and mortar, creative retail store. It’s also a platform for design inspiration.
Tell us about your winning entry.
W O N D E R W A L L is a visual exploration that reconsiders the idea of light, illumination, human perceptions and multi-realities. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of parallel and multi-dimensions. I also like how photography and illustration work together.
I began illustrating white dots on a photograph to portray tangible light falling. The collection of images demonstrates how these two mediums come together to portray a new dimension. On this medium-hybrid, light now has tangibility. We can ‘touch’, ‘see’, and ‘contain’ light.
Quite a few friends asked, “Where did you shoot this? Is it real?” It is interesting how a ‘simple’ act of introducing a new element (dotting illustration) to a photo can drastically change one’s impression and also exude such otherworldly qualities. The familiar suddenly becomes foreign.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography is a medium or tool for me to explore creative concepts and to craft narratives. I love the irony how a simple click of the shutter can convey complex thoughts and perspectives.
MELISSA WEE LIN SHIN, GSA COMMUNICATION DESIGN GRADUATE
Entry Title: After Us
Award: Silver
Nude models were used to portray the theme of genetic evolution.
Melissa initially felt awkward photographing naked models, but the end result is a series of thought provoking images.
Tell us about your winning entry.
It’s about how humans would evolve based on the kind of lifestyle we are living now. These photos give us a glimpse into different possibilities of microevolution and genetic adaptations that may help humanity copy in an overfed, dying world. Initially, I struggled to find the right way, medium and mood to convey these messages. Finally, I got down to the basis of genetics and thought vulnerability, clean, bare, minimal and raw was the way to go. Hence, the nude models, without the distractions of clothes and accessories.
How did what you learn from GSA help you?
GSA made me understand and explore the best way of communicating an idea. GSA also focused a lot on creative thinking and studio-based learning which is the main ingredient of how amazing ideas and executions are produced.
CHAUDHRY IMRAN SUHEL, FINAL YEAR GSA COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDENT
Entry Title: Fabric of Nature
Award: Bronze
Using fabric, he portrayed the outer coverings of insects.
Chaudhry spent two weeks conceptualising and a week shooting the images.
His biggest challenge was creating the shapes of insects using just wind, string and fabric, with minimal use of Photoshop.
Tell us about your winning entry
Fabric of Nature interprets the characteristics and bodies of insects in the form of fabric. My work was inspired by the brief we were given entitled ‘Fashion Without Bodies’. In the brief, we were challenged to create photographic fashion images using clothes, without any models or mannequins. Clothing is seen as a form of protection for us, just as how insects and animals have coverings for their protection. Hence, I portrayed the outer coverings of insects using fabrics.
How did what you learn from GSA helped you?
The lecturers assisted me with their guidance and expertise, especially Mun, my photography lecturer. The GSA system is special because it allows you to be fearless and take on challenges with its inspiring briefs. There is so much room for freedom of thought and that creates a myriad of creative possibilities.
Who is your favourite photographer?
Steven Klien. I love the conceptual and subversive nature he incorporates through fashion photography. His methods and techniques are extremely inspiring.
What is your dream job?
To work in an advertising agency one day.
