Joshua Morris takes out $10,000 first prize in the 2018 Australian Life photographic competition

Joshua Morris, son of ad legend David Morris, has won the $10,000 first prize in the 2018 Australian Life photographic competition, as part of the City of Sydney’s Art and About.

Morris, had his image ‘Pepa Molina and some of the residents of the Parque Habitacional’ selected from nearly 2500 entries in the prestigious award.

Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore presented the prize to Morris at Hyde Park where the 22 finalists’ works will be displayed until Sunday October 7.

The winning picture is a portrait of flamenco artist Pepa Molina, in the Parque Habitacional – a Spanish speaking retirement village in Sydney’s Rooty Hill. The image, commissioned by Blacktown Arts as part of their Creative Residency program, documents Molina’s work ‘Perceptions’, which explores the intuitive understanding, cultural stereotypes and clichés through flamenco.

Says Morris: “The shoot was a really beautiful one – a great juxtaposition of elements and energy. It was a real thrill to be selected as the winner, especially given the talent of my fellow finalists and the standing of the judges.”

Ken Done, celebrated artist and one of the judges, reflected on the image – “I think it’s a very sensitive, well-constructed picture – it’s an unconscious piece of beautiful composition.”

Morris has specialised in portrait work for close to a decade, regularly shooting for the Good Weekend, Marie Claire, Blacktown Arts, Origin Energy and Fraser’s Property Group. His subjects have included Sarah Hanson-Young, Nigella Lawson, Neil Finn, Massimo Bottura, Paul Kelly, Sarah Blasko and countless others.

To see more of his work, please go to www.joshuamorris.com.au.