2023 Flagship: Photographer's Note

I've had a difficult time figuring out what I want to say this year. However, I do know that the past year has been a period of growth. Many life-changing events have occurred, such as several deaths in my family, and entering university whilst finishing my last year of high school.

 

My journey in photography over the last year reflected that. For me, photography has always been about preserving our world. I've been obsessed with permanence for as long as I could remember. Growing up seemed terrifying, knowing that I was counting down the minutes of my life, that I could never get them back. So, photographs became a method for me to preserve moments in life. I started creating images of people on the street, freezing moments of time, hoping that one day, someone would find my work and remember what our world looked like.

 

My art is aimed at capturing moments of time, no matter how remarkable—because to me, every moment that we live on this planet together is a privilege that is indescribable. From a train conductor making his final checks before his train departs, to this man scratching off a lottery ticket, while I may not know their history, I can tell their story from that moment. I am able to honour the people that surround me by creating these images, preserving their memory, their life indefinitely—which brings me fulfillment as a storyteller and artist.

 

I chose this image because it reminded me of people that I once knew, and reminded me to continue to cherish the moments that I am given on this earth. I am eternally grateful for the experiences—every moment a stranger smiles at me warmly, or a curious passerby asks me what I’m doing. These moments are the reason I create these images.

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- Jonathan Ku, Photographer