SOURCE is a quarterly publication that can be viewed on line or in physical printed form. The organization is based in Belfast Northern Ireland, they aim to highlight and show case emerging photographers through annual graduate shows and reviews of current exhibitions and books. Each year SYP students that are aiming to graduate come together and submit eight images along with a short bio about the project. The submission fee is £33.
The group first met in February via zoom where Alan Fletcher who had submitted the previous year gave us all a brief introduction on the process and timings. The OCA would be prepared to fund the submission but this would be via independent application and as I had already received a grant for my collaboration work so I didn’t think I would be likely to get any further funding so didn’t plan to apply for that.
Up to the final date of submission (8th May) the group held a number of additional zoom sessions to discuss any issues and progress on image selection and how to address the rather challenging project bio – only 120 words! In the end nine SYP students submitted work.
My images
Project bio:
Inside the Shell
This series has been created around the coastal community of Ngawi (pronounced ‘naa-wee’). A small fishing village which is located just five kilometres from Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of New Zealand’s North Island. This project scratches the hard-male surface and discovers what is holding the community together, the very backbone under the shell.
My series explores this rural community. Through eight women I have explored the relationship between the land, space and the community, showing the hard conditions and the environment which gives a feeling of isolation, hardship, but also the softer side. The women that through their own strength hold the community together by making do and sticking together to support each other.
Name: Michele Usher
Email: ushermichele69@gmail.com
Website: www.mcuphotography.co.nz
Project Website: https://ushermichele69.myportfolio.com/
Overall I enjoyed the group interaction and as we had planned this well in advance there wasn’t too much pressure to get the work submitted. The only difficulty was paying the organiser as they were in the UK and I’m in New Zealand.
The group submission can be seen here: https://www.source.ie/graduate/2022/opencollba/opencollba_index.php
Michele Usher 