April 22 : 2025
Richard Gibson
This layered, fashion-inspired image—brimming with depth and subtle nuance—captivated the judges. From the flowing movement of the fabric to the enigmatic anonymity of the subject, the composition pulses with creativity and imaginative flair.
by Lily Fierman
“Timeless Nocturne #3 -Wind of the Wasteland”
1st Place Winner | Non Professional
Q:
Can you please tell us more about creating your winning image, “Timeless Nocturne #3 -Wind of the Wasteland”?
A:
This image features a conceptual, timeless female figure, created in a minimalist style that combines sensuality and strength within a surreal, geometric concept. Balanced, ideal composition with inner dynamics of the captured moment. Like the art of drawing a hieroglyph that has been drawn thousands of times, this work is precisely what I wanted to capture: the timeless imagery of femininity, a depersonalized portrait, the symbolism of transience, something transcendental.
Q:
What does the title, particularly “Wind of the Wasteland,” refer to?
A:
Learning from world photographers about black and white aesthetics. From the world of painting, a running silhouette like those from the paintings of Giorgio de Chirico and Salvador Dali.Special thanks for inspiration from my teachers Bill Brandt, Edward Weston, Irving Penn, Albert Watson, Ray Metzker, Alejandro Marote, Masao Yamamoto, Sara Punt, Antoine Khol, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Clarissa Bonet, Gabriele Croppi, Aapo Huhta, Albarran Cabrera, Trent Parke, Kenneth Josephson, Man Ray, Andre Kertescz, Ralph Gibson, Josef Koudelka, Richard Avedon, Nicholas Alan Cope, Erwin Blumenfeld, Martin Moonkashi, Sarah Moon, Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton.
Q:
In your description of this image, you describe it as “sound[ing] like a single note played on a piano.” I love this. Can you tell us more about how you came up with this framework?
A:
About a single note: Music evokes the same vibrations and thrill in me as a visual image. While working on this series, I listened to ambient music by Vangelis and Hans Zimmer. My creativity always starts with music, and I try to embody my inner experiences and figurative ideas in a visual language.
Q:
Your images are either in black and white or in lots of color. What attracts you to black and white, specifically? Why would you choose that over color in any given image?
A:
Initially, I was captivated by color, neo-compressionists, Fauvists, and Expressionists in painting. Then, while studying photography, I became interested in coloristics, drawing inspiration from renowned photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Steve McCurry, Alex Webb, Jeff Wall, Alec Soth, William Eggleston, Saul Leiter, Stephen Shore, Rala Choi, and Todd Hido. In parallel with this, I studied philosophy, and experienced a special period in my life - I became close to the philosophy of existentialism of Camus, Sartre, and at the same time I discovered black and white photographers Ray Metzker, Sara Punt, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Clarissa Bonet, Gabriele Croppi, Trent Parke. Then I found the second half of visual aesthetics, which I serve now. In the black and white language, I find the same philosophy of existentialism, transcendence, the sufficiency of minimalistic forms of expression. The limitations imposed on creativity, in the form of the absence of color, always fruitfully influence the author. Remember Ernest Hemingway, who wrote a famous short story of only 6 words. I want to reach the edge both in expressive coloristics and in a minimalistic black and white image, and even cross this edge, creating my Universe.
My creativity always starts with music, and I try to embody my inner experiences and figurative ideas in a visual language.
Q:
How do you find new subjects/ideas for your work?
A:
I draw my visual images from states of mind experienced while listening to music and studying philosophy and religion. My visual background, gained through education in the history of painting and photography, helps me. I recently completed my research into the world of contemporary photography, filtering 21,000 photographers from 19 countries. I was interested in seeing everything that had been said visually before me, to understand what new things I can say in contemporary art. I continue to study, engage in creative pursuits, listen to music, and strive to travel, all while embodying the quintessence of my experiences in new forms of aesthetics.
Q:
What are you working on next?
A:
I strive for minimalist graphic aesthetics across different genres. Now, I am exploring the study of female nature through the nude genre while traveling around the world. My previous series of works has been selected by curators and is sold on five major international art platforms, spanning Paris, London, and Singapore. However, it is the black and white series of works that is now gaining worldwide fame. They are featured in magazines in Spain, art publications in the USA, and exhibited in the center of London, among many other places. I aim to expand this series by adding an additional ten works, while preserving the aesthetics that viewers love. I still have many ambient playlists, which means that such minimalistic creativity will still come to me.
ARTIST