The 5th CIPC (February 20 - 27, 2024)

The 5th Chelsea International Photography Competition February 20 – February 27, 2024 Reception: Thursday, February 22, 6-8 PM 530 West 25th Street, New York, NY

Agora Gallery is pleased to announce The Chelsea International Photography Competition Exhibition, a juried exhibition of contemporary photographs by local and international artists. This is the 5th edition of our annual photography exhibition, which provides a select group of photographers with the opportunity to showcase their work in the heart of Chelsea, New York’s premier art district.

The winners were handpicked among hundreds of international and local applicants by an esteemed panel of jurors. The judging committee is comprised of Angela Ferreira and David Campany. Ferreira is an artist, curator, researcher, and educator from Portugal.

She has lectured on contemporary photography throughout Europe and Latin America and curated exhibitions internationally, including the Beijing Photography Biennale and the Photography Museum in Fortaleza, Brazil. Currently, she is a professor at Escola de Comunicação Arte e Cultura in São Paulo, Brazil. Campany is a curator, writer, broadcaster, editor, and educator, whose prior collaborations include MoMA, Tate, Centre Pompidou, International Center of Photography, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and many other institutions worldwide.

The 2022/2023 Chelsea International Photography Competition Results Competition Exhibition Professional Photography category: Caterina Pacialeo, Qingjun Huang, Claude Eshun, Thomas Schlereth, Tom Atwood, Claudia Behrensen, Cheraine Collette, Mathilde Troussard, Hsuan Chung,Brad Jones, Fabiola Ledda, Jiatong Lu, Walter Plotnick, PhenomenaLewis, Cameron Maier Amateur Photography category: Jo Ann Chaus, Eddy Verloes, Allison Plass, Andrea Zinn, Lori Perbeck, Nicola Ducati, Nafissa Harvoire, Irene Wolpert, Stanislava Chening, Marek Zenon Dudek, Michael Potts, Frederick Wong, Tim Smith, Anibal Barreiros, Liza Hennessey Botkin Cash Prize Stephen D Ciaffa, Amadeusz Świerk, Robert Lie, Tomoki Sawyer, Simone Hutsch ART-mine.com exposure: Nikolas Garcia, Wai Hei Willy Wong, Xuemeng Zhang , Marek Boguszak, Asiya Al Sharabi

Tom Atwood Tom Atwood’s photography series and book, Kings & Queens in Their Castles, explores the diverse American LGBTQ community. A work spanning over 15 years, the series documents the lives and homes of over 350 LGBTQ individuals, including 100 prominent figures such as John Waters, Meredith Baxter, George Takei and Alan Cumming. Atwood defies LGBTQ stereotypes by showcasing manifold personalities across 30 states–rural and urban. Exploring the intersection of LGBTQ identity with creative and cultural leadership, the series showcaes a shared sensibility. The images strike a balance between beauty and chaos, inviting viewers to find inspiration and curiosity in the personal landscapes of these unique individuals.

ALAN CUMMING, Tony-wining actor from Hamlet, Macbeth, Cabaret New York, NY, 2017 Photography on fine art paper 18” x 26”

Anthony Barreto-Neto, 2017 Photography on fine art paper 12” x 18”

MOTHER FLAWLESS SABRINA, Transgender performer New York, NY, 2017 Photograph on fine art paper 18” x 26”

Anibal Barreiros Anibal Barreiros, an anesthesiologist from Argentina, explores the fascinating connection between his medical expertise and artistic passion. Based in San Martin De Los Andes, Argentina, Barreiros focuses on analog photography, getting inspiration from his daily practice in the sciences.

Through a fascinating series of enigmatic portraits taken in operating rooms, he gives the audience a glimpse from the inside, embracing the mysterious essence of the medical environment. Barreiros takes a surrealistic approach to capture the extraordinary nature of his workplace, humbly inviting us to witness the hidden wonders of reality.

Burnout Analog on gelatin silver 13.5” x 13.5”

Claudia Behrensen Argentinean artist Claudia Behrensen invites viewers into immersive worlds where imagination knows no limits. Infused with profound reverence for nature, an insatiable curiosity regarding technology’s societal impact, and inspired by diverse cultural influences, Behrensen’s mesmerizing creations disrupt conventional perspectives, igniting profound emotions within viewers.

As a designer of woven rugs, she combines her passion for textiles with her artistic expression, creating unique pieces that blend tradition and contemporary aesthetics.

Her installations and photography speak to universal emotions, addressing the masks we wear, our fears, and the importance of staying true to ourselves. Through her art, she invites viewers to reflect on their lives, aspirations, and the pursuit of freedom and authenticity.

Las Ocultas (The Hidden Ones) - 12 Photograph on fine art paper 51” x 31.5”

Las Ocultas (The Hidden Ones) - 13 Photograph on fine art paper 51” x 31.5”

Las Ocultas (The Hidden Ones) - 1 Photograph on fine art paper 51” x 31.5”

Jo Ann Chaus Digital photographer Jo Ann Chaus premieres her latest work, Conversations with Myself, a series of self-portraits. The lighting is soft, and the mood is dreamy. The subject often looks away from the camera, reflecting a sense of introspection. The series evokes a feeling of nostalgia and conjures up strength and resilience.

“I inquire into the innermost questions about who I am, what matters to me, what I dream of and what is possible, and more broadly, how I see and define myself and, in turn, how the outside world defines me,” says Chaus.

Conversations with Myself explores identity that showcases Chaus’ signature style. The series features a variety of self-portraits that explore the relationship between the subject and the environment. Chaus currently resides in New Jersey.

Zoe Photograph on fine art paper 24” x 16”

Stanislava Chening Russian American photographer Stanislava Chening captures the essence of timeless beauty through her lens. With a background in fine art and history and a profound love of flowers, she breathes life into her captivating still-life photography.

Chening’s work transforms blossoms into poetic canvases, drawing inspiration from the Old Masters of European art. From her cherished childhood memories at the Hermitage to the sunlit landscapes of California, her floral compositions pay homage to the artistic heroes who ignited her creative spark.

Sunflower Photograph on fine art paper 30” x 24”

Hsuan Chung Hsuan Chung is a film photographer from Taiwan, capturing the beautiful interaction between the sea and the land. Currently based in Atlanta, GA, he graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Chung finds inspiration in Japanese culture, Western art history, and contemporary photography. His work explores the meeting point of the sea and the land, symbolizing the origin of life. Using a medium format camera, Chung meticulously develops negatives in seawater, creating a unique connection between earth and sea.

His images have received recognition in prestigious competitions like the Tokyo International Foto Awards and the MUSE Photography Awards. His work has been featured in publications such as Lensculture and Dodho Magazine.

North Edge Atlantic Ocean #08 Hasselblad medium format film on fine art paper 10” x 10”

Edge North Atlantic Ocean #21 Hasselblad medium format film on fine art paper 10” x 10”

Edge North Atlantic Ocean #09 Hasselblad mediumformat film on fine art paper 10” x 10”

Edge North Atlantic Ocean #22 Hasselblad medium format film on fine art paper 10” x 10”

Cheraine Collette Dutch photographer Cheraine Collette blends photography and traditional painting techniques that seamlessly combine reality and imagination. Using a camera and a Wacom Cintiq Pro tablet, Collette engages in a meticulous process, consisting of hundreds of individual layers. Adding depth and detail, she produces evocative fantasy worlds of surrealist charm.

Inspired by nature’s intricate beauty and the treasures of human culture, Collette’s work acts as a portal, inviting viewers to rediscover the world with wonder, optimism, and harmony. In an era where celebrating beauty becomes an act of resistance, her art stands as a call to cherish and preserve the surrounding splendor, encouraging collective efforts to protect it for future generations.

California Dream, 2022 Photography on hahnemühle paper 35.5” x 47”

Ethereal Photography on hahnemühle paper 31.5” x 31.5”

Lewis Dérogène Lewis Dérogène, also known as PhenomenaLewis, is a photographer and digital sculptress with Haitian roots. Influenced by personal experiences and cultural, political, and historical factors, her work beautifully captures the strength and empowerment of black women. Her creative process unfolds with an initial meditative phase and a deep dive into art books, particularly those spotlighting black artists and photographers. During photoshoots, fabric takes center stage, symbolizing the delicate strength of a black woman. Post-capture Lewis manipulates the images in Photoshop. Subsequently, layers of self-made digital sculptures and additional images come to life, adding complexity and depth to their creations—a testament to a distinctive blend of inspiration, mindfulness, and digital artistry. Drawing inspiration from renowned artists like Rembrandt, Aida Muluneh, and Muholi Zanele, Lewis Derogene’s art defies categorization as it gracefully navigates classical, afro-futuristic, minimalistic, and surrealistic realms.

Acceptance (Self-Portrait), 2022 Photograph on fine art paper 32” x 40”

Liberation (Self-Portrait), 2022 Photograph on fine art paper 20” x 30”

The Replacement of Pain (Self-Portrait), 2022 Photograph on fine art paper 40” x 32”

Nicola Ducati Growing up in an aesthetically beautiful town in the Italian Alps, Nicola Ducati stumbled across photography accidentally. The artistic genre has favored Nicola’s growth as a person by establishing his individualistic view of the world through travel, storytelling and portrait photography.

Through compositions of simple gazes and slight gestures, Ducati frames his subjects in a delicate- almost timid- manner as a form of respect. Such subtleness depicts an understated beauty that may be sometimes gloomy and melancholic, illuminating a silent story.

My House Is Far Away Photograph on fine art paper 12” x 18”

Marek Zenon Dudek Polish New Jersey-based photographer Marek Z. Dudek, aka Dudekart, captures the essence of cityscapes, wildlife, birdlife, nature, travel, and macro subjects in digital and analog form.

Focused on revealing depth, texture, and nuanced composition, Marek utilizes Lightroom to add the final touches, employing sepia tones or contrasting elements to achieve artistic finesse.

For Marek photography is a therapeutic escape. His cameras are his companions, providing relaxation and a unique perspective on the world. Following the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, photography has become an emotional outlet, sharpening his senses and offering solace through artistic expression.

Lost Analog on fine art paper 20” x 24”

Claude Eshun Ghanaian photo-based artist Claude Eshun (Aka Don Claude) explores themes of identity, adaptation, and assimilation. As a business owner and educator in Worcester, Massachusetts, Eshun examines the construction and deconstruction of identities. Drawing from personal experiences as a once-stateless individual navigating different institutions, cultures, and languages, Eshun’s photography offers a unique perspective on these subjects.

Through photography, performance, and costume, Eshun delves into the emotional depths of individual experiences and addresses the specific concerns faced by black individuals from diverse backgrounds. His powerful tableaux create a profound connection with the viewer.

Super Mom, 2018 Photograph on fine art paper 24” x 18”

Unc.lue & Nana, 2019 Photograph on fine art paper 24” x 18”

Nafissa Harvoire Nafissa Harvoire is a French photographer based in Paris. Equipped with her trusted Nikon D700 and robust Canon AE1, she captures fleeting moments, infusing her work with a timeless touch.

At Agora Gallery, Harvoire presents State of Play 1, belonging to a series shot during the pandemic, which addresses themes of dehumanization, anger, and introspection. Conceptual in nature, the series portrays intimate moments of isolation, as the subjects experience uncomfortable emotions stemming from disconnection.

State of Play 1 Photograph on Aluminum 23.5” x 35.5”

Qingjun Huang Chinese photographer Qingjun Huang presents Family Stuff, a 20-year project encompassing 150 images. The photos document families and their unique relationships with the evolving social panorama in China, winning the praise of renowned photographer and filmmaker Robert Frank, who described Qingjun’s work as “an open window to look at China.”

Influenced by his photography teacher Fuchun Wang, Huang’s work focuses on the social fabric of society, showcasing the faith and conditions of life during the modernization process.

Rooted in personal experiences, Huang’s photographs aim to document the evolution of families amidst economic development, technological advancements, and cultural shifts.

Huang has received prestigious awards in exhibitions and competitions worldwide, including a nomination for the Prix Pictet in 2017 and winning the 2023 Fujifilm GFX Grant Challenge Global.

About this work, Robert Frank said, “Your work is an open window to look at China.”

Family Stuff-bangkok, 2019 Giclee 27.5” x 39.5”

Family Stuff – Internet Celebrity, 2021 Giclee print 29.5” x 39.5”

Brad Jones In this exhibition, Brad Jones presents his latest photographic work, A Fragile Utopia. Set in New York City, the series captures “random fragments of sublime majesty,” exploring the implicit and explicit language of urban life.

Embracing the chaos of the streets, Jones finds order and rhythm. By transforming casual fragments into magnificent scenes, Jones crafts a visual narrative that reflects his unique perspective, capturing the impromptu beauty of urban life.

A Fragile Utopia 68, 2021 Digital print on fine art paper 11” x 14”

A Fragile Utopia 103, 2023 Digital print on fine art paper 11” x 14”

Fabiola Ledda Italian artist Fabiola Ledda shapes a unique artistic identity through her exploration of diverse cultural influences. Having grown up in Sardinia before receiving her education in Germany, Ledda brings her deep-rooted experiences to the fore in a contemporary reinterpretation through her daily artistic practice.

Ledda skillfully creates a fusion of painting and photography, utilizing the body as a sensitive filter to spotlight societal issues. Since making her debut in 1995, she has engaged in collaborations across Europe, venturing into diverse artistic mediums including painting, installation, and performance.

Ledda’s projects frequently champion campaigns against violence and advocate for human rights, finding resonance in alternative spaces, theaters, festivals, and prestigious art institutions throughout Italy.

Momento Vitae (Composizing 9 Pezzi) Photograph on fine art paper 33” x 51” | 11” x 17” each

Jiatong Lu Jiatong Lu, a photographer and visual artist from the Hudson Valley, New York, explores the widespread but often overlooked issue of chronic Lyme disease in the United States. In 2021, Lu’s journey started with a diagnosis of Neurological Lyme disease. Driven by the hardships, Lu used her camera to document their pain.

Nowhere Land is not just a series of photographs; it is a powerful narrative that exposes the harsh realities of chronic Lyme disease. Lu’s work raises awareness about the challenges faced by these individuals and the systemic fallacies of the US medical system.

Nowhere Land_Buck Photograph on fine art paper 21” x 17”

Nowhere Land_Shivani Photograph on fine art paper 21” x 17”

Cameron Maier Blending documentary and fiction, artist Cameron Maier explores stories within and without the natural world. Originally from the United States and a graduate of Colorado State University, Maier now splits his time between Colorado and Joshua Tree, CA. Maier skillfully combines photography, video, and acrylic paint to create visually captivating narratives. Influenced in person by renowned figures like Werner Herzog and inspired by the vibrant colors of the Southwest, his Earth Signs series creations shine with radiant neon lights, offering a fresh and unique perspective.

Earth Signs 2 Photograph on fine art paper 16” x 20”

Earth Sign 3 Photograph on fine art paper 16” x 20”

Earth Signs 1 Photograph on fine art paper 24” x 36”

Caterina Pacialeo Caterina Pacialeo, an Australian artist and photography educator, skillfully captures the beauty of nature through her lens. With a background in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in photo media from the University of New South Wales, Pacialeo’s work reflects her personal experiences and influences. Her artistry showcases the beauty of stillness, evokes emotions, and tells compelling stories that provoke thought. Inspired by the wonders of Mother Nature and contemporary issues, she has showcased her extensive body of work in prestigious exhibitions across Australia and the USA.

Fire – Heart, 2016 Photograph on fine art paper 31” x 44”

Water, 2013 Digital print, cotton rag paper archival pigment 39” x 59”

Lori Perbeck Lori Perbeck’s photographs gracefully explore themes of maternal love, the passage of time, and the fleeting nature of existence. Perbeck creates immersive dreamscapes, intertwining light, shadow, and reflections to celebrate life’s fleeting moments. She employs a “whole body” approach to observation, where vibrant colors are felt on the skin, shadows dance, and time becomes a fluid, indistinct entity. Her work illuminates the overlooked beauty found in life’s mundane imperfections.

Perbeck earned a BFA from the University of Bridgeport, CT, and studied at the International Center of Photography in New York. She lives and works in New Jersey.

Self-Portrait with Green Bananas Photograph on fine art paper 27” x 19”

Michael Potts Michael Potts’ photographs are a profound exploration of the underwater realms. The artist seeks the delicate balance between sublime peace and creative chaos—where the conscious and subconscious intersect, and energy transforms from potential to kinetic.

Defined by moments of profound silence and self-reflection, Potts employs the aquatic element as a symbol of renewal and light and a conduit for spiritual communion. These dreamlike images bear traces of the artist’s quest for change and inner peace, as they transition from the chaos of their previous path to the serenity of unexplored avenues.

Into Dreamtime Photograph on fine art paper 11” x 14”

Allison Plass Allison Plass’ photographs are a powerful exploration of masculinity, vulnerability, and cultural narratives. With a background in art history and influences from Western art, feminism, and film theory, Plass’ work challenges conventional depictions, unveiling cultural myths and stories that people hold about their lives.

Plass seeks to disrupt traditional portrayals of boys and men, aiming to unveil the softer and more uncertain aspects often overlooked in mainstream depictions, thus presenting a more complex and nuanced perspective. Through her lens, Plass examines how cultural representations of the past shape the stories individuals carry about themselves. She questions how images of vulnerability and intimacy can complicate prevailing cultural narratives, reshaping male gender dynamics and how they are perceived by society.

Harlan in Blue Photograph on fine art paper 16” x 20”

Walter Plotnick Walter Plotnick combines wet photo and digital mediums to create a unique take on photography. With a background in college education and degrees from Tyler School of Art and the University of the Arts, his Surprise Inside series is inspired by childhood memories and captures moments of revelation through photographic collages. Playful and nostalgic, Plotnick’s work evokes the joy of childhood anticipation. Using warm sepia tones, his images offer a visually impactful experience. Plotnick’s art has gained recognition through private sales, showcasing the appeal of his creative vision.

Bird Hotel, 2022 Silver Halide print 25.5” x 22”

Thomas Schlereth Thomas Schlereth explores social phenomena, environmental concerns, and the intricacies of human coexistence. Inspired by New German Objectivity photographers and conceptual approaches, his work blends documentary and interpretive styles, capturing the essence of the everyday with a thoughtful perspective. Schlereth approaches the photographic process as an art form, utilizing the camera and computer as tools of the trade, akin to a painter or sculptor. Through the interplay of light, shadows, shapes, and colors, he paints a compelling narrative—a testament to the power of photography as a chosen form of artistic expression.

Accumulations I – Lights, 2023 Fine Art Gallery print Alu Dibond acrylic 40” x 60”

My Home is My Castle #5, 2009 - 2021 Fine Art Gallery print Alu Dibond acrylic 32” x 48”

Tim Smith Texas-based photographer Tim Smith captures black and white images that blend geometry and architectural motifs. Smith expertly traces subtle shadow patterns, revealing the beauty in the ordinary, drawing inspiration from well-known photographers like Ansel Adams, Fan Ho, and Ray Metzger. Although figures are present in Smith’s work, they are portrayed abstractly in silhouette form. Smith draws our gaze to the recurrences that surround us, training our eyes to spot the unassuming.

No. 890 Print on foamboard 18” x 12”

Mathilde Troussard French photographer Mathilde Troussard weaves poetic narratives that address our shared human experience. At Agora Gallery Troussard presents three images from her The Enchanted Fortress series, shot in Calpe, Spain. Using Ricardo Bofil’s La Muralla Roja as a backdrop, the suite’s pop graphic aesthetic depicts humorously staged scenes in soft pastel tones. Starring an inflatable pink flamingo and an insouciant bather, the images create an alternate reality that borders on the surreal. Drawn to the nuances of solitude—melancholy, emptiness, waiting, absence, disillusionment, and gentle madness, Troussard’s dreamlike universes, show female characters navigating both cracks and hopes. Inspired by personal experiences and encounters from documentary projects, Troussard expresses emotions shared or observed. Her photographic stagings create fictional realms within reality, inviting viewers to imagine and immerse themselves in their own narratives, blurring the lines between the tangible and the dreamlike.

≪ La Forteresse Enchantée ≫ Réalisée à La Muralla Roja, 2022 Photograph on plexiglass 47” x 31.5”

≪ La Forteresse Enchantée ≫ Réalisée à La Muralla Roja, 2022 Photograph on plexiglass 47” x 31.5”

≪ La Forteresse Enchantée ≫ Réalisée à La Muralla Roja, 2022 Photograph on plexiglass 47” x 31.5”

Eddy Verloes Eddy Verloes is a multi-award-winning photographer from Belgium. His atmospheric shots of interiors, landscapes, and urban life hover beautifully between realism and surrealism.

Taking a spontaneous approach to the craft, Verloes captures the unexpected moments of the everyday. His studies of philosophy and literature fueled an inquisitive search for the mystical and poetic. At Agora Gallery, he presents work from his A moment series. The images capture the essence of a moment in 3 to 4 shots within a few seconds, making that instant unique.

In this way, mini-stories emerge, testimonies of the banality that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.

A Moment of Light Photograph on fine art paper 16” x 16”

Irene Wolpert Irene Wolpert is a fine arts photographer based in New York City. At Agora Gallery, Wolpert presents My Beau, which is part of her series titled In My Place. This project explores female identity, role, and mindset, including how a woman thinks about herself, her responsibilities, her relationships, and the spaces she inhabits–both physically and emotionally. In many of her images, the artist includes her body (or parts of her body) merging compositionally into the domestic background or in unconventional ways. The goal is to use the suggestion of absurdity combined with details to generate tension and yet make her photographs welcoming. The artist uses humor and performance to challenge traditional expectations about home life.

Wolpert is a graduate of the International Center of Photography’s Advanced Track Program (Certificate), Brandeis University (B.A., Computer Science), and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (M.B.A.). She is a member of the Professional Women Photographers and numerous art museums in New York City.

My Beau Photograph on fine art paper 12” x 18”

Andrea Zinn Andrea Zinn captures the beauty of natural cycles through her lens. At Agora Gallery, Zinn presents Green Carnations, as part of her Still Life series. For this project, Zinn transformed her Brooklyn home into an art sanctuary, showcasing the dance of light, memories, and life’s little moments. Drawing inspiration from 17th-century Dutch paintings, Zinn’s careful consideration of natural light and detailed nuances animates the essence of traditional still life.

Green Carnations Photograph on fine art paper 19” x 12.5”

Gallery hopping in New York Agora Gallery is located within the heart of the Chelsea Arts District with available hours from Tuesday – Saturday 11 am - 6 pm.

Opening receptions are held once a month, giving you the opportunity to meet the artists and view a variety of original artwork. Visit our website and subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date on all events and happenings – www.Agora-Gallery.com/mailinglist

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