Ad Infinitum

• Prize
• Photographer
  kris vervaeke, Singapore
• Studio
  visionfactory (for the book)

This is a selection from more than 1,000 pictures taken of the
tiny memorial portraits found on the tombstones in Hong
Kong’s cemeteries. The portraits have been isolated from the
headstones on purpose. Out of the context of the cemetery and
away from the idea of death. The focus lies on the portrait itself,
people in their present. Over time the portraits have faded due
to exposure to rain, sun, extreme temperatures and humidity.
The portraits become abstract. In the end, we are left with the
simple abstract beauty of the image as such.
The portrait series exposes both the strength of the individual
face and the perishable nature of the individual human body. An
inherent contradiction of our existence. The clear images make
us want to connect, understand, and know the strangers and
their stories. The fading images reference mortality of human
life, and the limitations of our impact. Subconsciously, our
interest in the individual fades as the portraits become less
clear. It is quietly replaced by our draw to the beauty of the
abstract image. As the faces fade further, anonymity returns
and once again we become part of nature... ad infinitum. We
will be remembered only by the children of our children.

• Awards
  2013 -Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards : Ad Infinitum book shortlisted for the First Photobook Award -Art of Photography (San Diego, USA):group exhibition curated by Julia Dolan (curator of photography Portlaand Art Museum). With The Fortune Tellers series. -International Photography Awards (USA): honorable mentions in Portrait Culture with The Fortune Tellers 2011 -Art of Photography (San Diego, USA):group exhibition curated by Anne Lyden (ass. curator of photography J.Paul Getty Museum L.A.) -Daylight-CDS Awards (USA) : juror’s pick Stacey Clarkson (Harper’s Magazine) -International Photography Awards (USA): honorable mentions in Portrait and in Cityscapes 2010 -International Photography Festival Singapore: Biennale – group exhibition -International Photography Awards (USA) : honorable mentions in Architecture and Portrait 2006 -International Photography Awards (USA): third place (Nature) ; honorable mentions in People Lifestyle, Architecture Interiors and in Architecture Bridges 2005 -International Photography Awards (USA): first place (Nature Trees); Honorable mentions in Advertising Food and in People Culture