Suddenly

• Prize
• Photographer
  N. Frederick Sharpe, Canada

A photograph comes out of the black, looking straight at you.

A photograph is a mirror, a window, a voice questioning who is the observer, who is the subject.

I thought my work was simply a collection of random photographs taken while walking through the shadows and lights of a city, nothing planned, posed or staged.

But then, I was asked to write an Artist’s Statement about my work, what it meant, what I felt, what was I trying to say?

I discovered I had no answers, only a title: “Night Money”.

Early on a Sunday morning, I awoke and while reviewing the photographs, suddenly realized that they are my life, my way of seeing from the outside to the inside.

"Night Money” asks, why do so many of us feel starved for time, work long hours, feel a constant need to keep busy with a never-ending list of things to do? What are our expectations, our motivations? What are the effects on us, our family, our children?

My photographs were yelling at me for a long time.

Subconsciously, I never could admit the need to look in those mirrors, through those windows, to hear those voices…until now.

The series "Night Money" is about work, stress, anxiety, depression and

horizons.

A photograph comes out of the black, looking straight at you.

A photograph is a mirror, a window, a voice questioning who is the observer, who is the subject.

However, that’s not how I saw it.

I thought my work was simply a collection of random photographs taken while walking through the shadows and lights of a city, nothing planned, posed or staged, the eyes of Robert Frank, Edward Hopper and Daido Moriyama showing me the way.

But then, I was asked to write an Artist’s Statement about my work, what it meant, what I felt, what was I trying to say?

I discovered I had no answers, only a title: “Night Money”.

Today, I awoke and while reviewing the photographs, suddenly realized that they are my life, my way of seeing from the outside to the inside.

“Night Money” asks, why do so many of us feel starved for time, why do so many of us work 60 or more hours a week? What are our expectations, our motivations, what are the effects on us, our family, our children?

World-wide studies report that many people are plagued with self-doubt, feel that their accomplishments are never enough, suffer from anxiety, depression and insomnia.

My photographs had been yelling at me for a long time.

Subconsciously, I never could admit the need to look in those mirrors, through those windows, to hear those voices…until now.

"Night Money" is about work, stress, choice and,
from this point on,

hopefully,

horizons.



My work has been featured in curated gallery exhibitions in the U.S.A., and juried group shows in the U.S.A., England and Canada.

Academic background includes B.A. (Hons)., M.A., with specialized training in fine arts photography.

Awards I only began entering photography competitions in the spring of 2012. Here is the response to date. Thanks for asking!

Art of Photography Show. September-November, 2012, San Diego Art Institute, California.
http://www.artofphotographyshow.com/SDAI.html

200 pieces were selected from 16,905 entries submitted by artists in 77 countries, and 104 were chosen for presentation in the gallery. I am very grateful that my photo was included in the gallery presentation.

Curator: Julian Cox, Curator of Photography and Chief Curator, de Young Museum,
San Francisco, California
http://deyoung.famsf.org/

ONWARD COMPE', "An International Photography Competition For Emerging Photographers.". Philadelphia, USA. April 11-June 17, 2013.
http://summit.onwardphoto.org/

ONWARD Compé is an international photography competition for emerging photographers. The exhibition of 56 selected photographers’ images culminates in the ONWARD Summit, an annual photography festival held in Philadelphia.

Photography Masters Cup International Color Awards. 6th Annual. February 2013. Beverly Hills, California; Mayfair, London, England. Nominee (Abstract)
http://www.thecolorawards.com/6thphotoshow/index.php

International Black & White Spider Awards. June 2012. London, England. Nominee (Abstract)
http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery/7th/

Newspace Center For Photography, Portland, Oregon; USA. 2013. April, 2013.
http://newspacephoto.org/
Curators: Laura Valenti Jelen & Laura Moya

An educational and cultural nonprofit dedicated to promoting photographic education and appreciation to the public as well as providing a space and building a community where photo enthusiasts can learn, create, discuss and show their work.

RayKo Photo Gallery, San Francisco, California USA. Fall 2013.
http://raykophotocenter.com/current-show-b
Curators: Laura Valenti Jelen & Laura Moya

RayKo’s galleries are dedicated to advancing the appreciation of photography and creating opportunities for artists to display and sell their work. The main gallery presents 8-10 exhibitions each year, from solo shows to thematic group exhibits, from local to international artists.