JURIED THEME GALLERY – Silence

Silence: meditation, introspection, stillness. There is a strength in silence that speaks volumes.

AZPA’s Juried Theme Gallery is a project developed in 2024 that highlights the work of our members who range from full-time professional photographers to enthusiastic amateurs. A number of times each year, a call for entry will be announced with a rotating theme. Current members can submit up to three digital images that speak to the theme, which will be juried by a different professional photographer each cycle. The juror will select ONE image from each entrant that best represents the theme. Each of those images will be displayed here in the online gallery. The juror will also choose one first-place winner to receive a cash award of $100, plus two honorable mention recipients.

About the Juror for Silence

Buzzy Sullivan is a photographer currently based out of Phoenix, Arizona. His work has been exhibited throughout the US and internationally. Sullivan grew up in Montana, which is often known as “The Last Best Place” and is also home to the largest Superfund site in the United States. Montana’s duality of pristine wilderness and toxic remains formed his interest in the human/nature interface. Sullivan is currently Residential Photography Faculty at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. He received his MFA at Arizona State University in 2017 and a BFA from Oregon College of Art & Craft in 2013.

Juror’s Statement

To be honest, I’m not very interested in art competitions. It seems a little like screaming during meditation. I’m not built for it. The concept and possibility of silence is something more my speed. Each image in this exhibition serves as a testament to the complexity of silence, whether it is found in the stillness of a place, the quiet moment of a portrait, or the unspoken narratives within the everyday.

After I look at photographs, I see what images stick in my mind. That’s how I juried this exhibition. I looked through the images, walked away, and saw what traces of images remained with me throughout the day. The image Left Blooming Alone stuck with me. The gesture of the subject’s arms mimicking the organic structure of the foreground branches led me to think about the tension between the inner self and the external experience. It just works. With that said, I enjoyed looking at all the photographs submitted for this exhibition. Do us all a favor and keep making pictures.

First Place: Dora Duan

Left Blooming Alone © Dora Duan

Honorable Mention: Bart Welch

Morning Silence © Bart Welch

Honorable Mention: KJ Herb

Silence Gallery

(click on each image for full view and description)

If you are interested in purchasing any of the photographs offered for sale, please contact the artist directly via the email link shown with each image. Thank you for visiting!