In Society; RGS–IBG events
Jonk has won the 2020 Earth Photo competition for his body of work: Coffee Shop in Abkhazia; Hotel in Portugal; Swimming Pool in Italy and Theater taken in Abkhazia (2019), which depicts a number of abandoned places that have been reclaimed by nature. An online announcement made earlier in December revealed Jonk as the overall winner as well as five other category winners. Professor Joe Smith, Director of the Society, said of Jonk’s images: ‘This body of work gathers fragments of stories of human environments “taken back by nature”. While they serve as a mournful commentary on the 20th century – the era of the “Great Acceleration” – there is also something hopeful in the vivid evidence of the patient and robust capacities of the nonhuman world to recover.’
On hearing the news of his award, Jonk said: ‘I am very proud and honoured to participate in Earth Photo 2020. I think my pictures ask the fundamental question of the place of humans on Earth and their relationship with nature. Far from being pessimistic, my pictures aim to wake our consciousness. If my work has been able to contribute a small stone to the edifice of awareness, I am really happy.’
His images also won the Place category.
Yanrong Guo won the People category for her work Miss which depicts the portrait of a man nestled amongst branches whilst smoking a pipe in Daliang Mountain, Sichuan province, China. Chair of the judging panel, award winning photographer Marissa Roth said: ‘This is an evocative and beautiful portrait, where the palette of colours is almost painterly. The composition is vibrant and balanced, with the branches and the pipe all leading the viewer’s eyes from left to right; into a face weathered by time, into a timeless landscape.’
Yi Sun won the Nature category for his work Dryland Farming Study 7 which highlights the impact of humans on farming the landscape. The judges said: ‘It elicited immediately powerful emotions and considerations of how we’re going to adapt to the striking realities of global heating, while also restoring the natural environment, our crucial life support system.’
Sean Gallagher won the Video category for his work Cambodia Burning which showcases the impacts of rampant deforestation on the forests of South East Asia.
Charles Xelot won the Changing Forests category for his work Dead Tree 1, a striking and atmospheric piece combining drama and suspense with the starkness of an unknown future. The judges called his image ‘poignant… since human induced wild fires, combined with the increasing realities of climate heating are a concern for forests both here in England and around the globe’.
Joe Habben won the Climate of Change category, which was new for this year, for his work In Moleca. The judges said: ‘This witty and arresting image presents us with a tourist having to adapt to a changing environment in a city that is both a hotspot of tourism, and a longstanding reference point for environmentalists in attempts to engage concern about climate change.’ Developed in partnership with Forestry England, Earth Photo showcases the best environmental photographs and films that document the Earth in all its diversity. This year’s shortlist will be on display in the Society’s Pavilion from late January to the end of March 2021. Earth Photo is now available to view at Forestry England sites including Dalby Forest until 31 December, Moors Valley until 19 April and Grizedale Forest until 25 April 2021. www.rgs.org/earthphoto