Les Irwig, BURNT OFFERING (B&W 2021)

My series “Burnt Offering” aims to express the essence of burnt bush: the duality of appealing to the eye but then evoking a deeper fear. How then to portray this majestic misery? Ansel Adams’ concept of Visualization came to mind including his use of deep red filters to darken the sky. I honour his vision in my series. Dry sclerophyll forests are adapted to fire, but not to their current frequency and ferocity. And even if they survive, this is not so for many other ecologies, such as rainforest. The change in fires is traceable to us: directly because of carelessly lit campfires - or even arson; and indirectly because of the effect of Climate Change altering temperature and rain patterns. I hope my series sends a compelling message about the effects of Climate Change and the need for us to change. The ‘Burnt Offering” series was made over a year on weekly visits to bushland affected by the devastating 2019/2020 Gospers Mountain Fire. In this portfolio, two images show burnt bush, while two show beginnings of new growth for the fire-adapted Eucalypts. DESCRIPTION OF EACH IMAGE: SIGN OF THE TIMES A burnt National Park Sign PHOENIX? Will new growth arise from the ashes of its predecessor, like the mythical Phoenix? TREE HUGGER ‘Tree hugger’ refers not only to the environmentalists who strive to preserve our natural heritage, but to the way new growth hugs the trunks of Eucalypts after bushfires STANDING PROUD Large rough-barked Angophora, with its tortuous branches: regal and strong, though it will take time before full foliage. It stands as a symbol of survival and hope that we may do better in preserving our unique environment.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.