TURKIYEMUZIK – Page 8

The Winners of This Annual Competition Show Nature Is Ready for Its Close-Up

A striking silhouette of two fighting stag beetles takes the top prize in the 6th annual Close-Up Photographer of the Year contest (previously), capping a group of category winners and finalists that showcase an array of natural phenomena in astonishing detail.

A jury of 25 experts, comprising scientists, editors, naturalists, journalists, and photographers, narrowed down 100 images from more than 11,000 entries. Photographers in 61 countries submitted photos of a wide range of animals and environments, capturing dramatic behaviors and fascinating habitats.

1st place in the Butterflies & Dragonflies category: Yong Miao, “Damselfly by the Waterfall.” A damselfly (Archineura incarnata) rests on a rock amidst a flowing waterfall in Tianmushan Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, China

Among many favorites, Yong Miao’s beautiful shot of a damselfly perched on a stone near a waterfall won the Insects category, Barry Webb’s capture of an ear-pick fungus topped the Fungi & Slime Moulds category, and Gabriel Jensen’s portrait of a fish in the toothy mouth of a predator took the top spot in the Underwater category.

The competition highlights not only incredible images but also the fascinating science and stories behind them. “Summer brings calm seas to South Florida where a dedicated community of shore diving photographers head out nearly every day to survey the world’s third largest coral reef for interesting wildlife,” Jensen says.

Her friends spotted a lizard fish (Synodus foetens) grappling with a large doctorfish. She adds, “After a few minutes of struggle, the doctorfish managed to escape. This image now sits on my desk at work, serving as a reminder that even on tough days, “Everything’s going to be A-OK.”

CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder says, “Close-up photography is a celebration of curiosity,” also sharing that the winning entries are “a true testament to the artistry of everyone involved, as well as an invitation to look, marvel at, and honour the world around us.” See all the top photos in the competition’s online gallery.

Winner of Underwater category: Gabriel Jensen, “Everything’s A-OK.” A doctorfish struggles in the jaws of a lizardfish, Kona, Hawaii

1st place in Fungi & Slime Moulds category: Barry Webb, “Ear-Pick Fungus” (2023). A 15mm tall ear-pick fungus growing on a pine cone, New Forest, U.K.

1st place in Insects category and overall winner of CUPOTY 6: Svetlana Ivanenko, “Clash of the Titans.” Two stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) battle for dominance in the Voronezh region of Russia

2nd place in Underwater category: Jenny Stock, “Search for the Dragon” (2020). A leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) swims with a school of rough bullseye fish (Pempheris klunzingeri), Rapid Bay, South Australia

2nd place in Young category: Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, “Afternoon Snack” (2024). A robber fly (Asilidae sp.) feeds on a flesh fly (Sarcophagidae sp.), Brandenburg, Germany

A close-up photo of a mushroom covered in sand — 3rd place in Fungi & Slime Moulds category: Jamie Spensley, “Sandy Mushroom” (2024). A mushroom covered in sand on Holywell Bay Beach, Cornwall

2nd place in Invertebrate Portrait category: José Manuel Lois Rial, “Stauropus Fagi” (2023). A lobster moth caterpillar (Stauropus fagi) on a tree branch in the photographer’s garden, Spain

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article The Winners of This Annual Competition Show Nature Is Ready for Its Close-Up appeared first on Colossal.

Michelle Robinson’s Passementerie Weavings Demonstrate Elaborate Detail and Design

Continuing her practice rooted in the extensive art of passementerie, Michelle Robinson weaves vibrant threads into geometric wall hangings that curve, puff, and meander.

Over the last two years, the Sydney-based artist has been learning how to spin fiber. “I didn’t expect the pure meditative state spinning allows, which is in stark contrast to the complex pre-planning that is involved for my weaving practice, especially passementerie,” she explains. “I am a chronic over-thinker and the countless options afforded in fiber work can often lead to a writer-block of sorts.”

two wall hangings comprised of vibrant textured fibers woven in the style of passementerie while incorporating geometric, curving forms

Though Robinson initially had goals to scale up her work, she’s instead found more growth in creating an ongoing series of small-scale iterations, experimenting with different fibers, yarn denier, and and color palettes.

Robinson has been also been working on incorporating her vast personal collection of of woven textile cloths, embellishments, and wallpaper, which she still keeps from her previous endeavors in soft furnishings.

Find more on the artist’s Instagram.

vibrant textured fibers woven in the style of passementerie while incorporating geometric, curving forms

detail of vibrant textured fibers woven in the style of passementerie while incorporating geometric, curving forms

a wall tapestry woven from vibrant fibers, incorporating geometric forms

detail of a wall tapestry woven from vibrant fibers, incorporating geometric forms

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Michelle Robinson’s Passementerie Weavings Demonstrate Elaborate Detail and Design appeared first on Colossal.

Michelle Robinson’s Passementerie Weavings Demonstrate Elaborate Detail and Design

Continuing her practice rooted in the extensive art of passementerie, Michelle Robinson weaves vibrant threads into geometric wall hangings that curve, puff, and meander.

Find more on the artist’s Instagram.

A Provocative Photography Exhibition Invites You to Experience ‘Chromotherapia’

In the world of photography, the color image has long held an inferior reputation to black-and-white, which connoisseurs historically deemed to be more dignified. Today, vibrant images are embraced in a wide range of fields, from fine art and fashion to advertising and journalism.

Championing the potential of the medium, artist Maurizio Cattelan and French Academy in Rome—Villa Medici director Sam Stourdzé curated Chromotherapia: The Feel-Good Color Photography.

a photograph of a pair of hands folding a very large doughnut — Martin Parr, “Common Sense.” Image © Magnum Photos

Color therapy, though deemed a pseudoscience, has its roots in color theory, which focuses on interactions between hues and how they affect our moods and emotions.

Cattelan and Stourdzé emphasize ebullient hyperreality, humor, and the absurd through works like Juno Calypso’s “Chicken Dogs,” in which an anonymous figure lies face-down next to a can of hot dogs, or Walter Candoha’s expressive pets. And in “Toiletpaper,” by Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari, who co-founded a magazine of the same name in 2010, a man sits on a tan couch, wearing a matching suit, covered in spaghetti.

In total, twenty artists explore a range of approaches in the exhibition, from portraits of people and animals to food and uncanny tableaux. “Many have freed themselves from the documentary function of the photographic medium to explore the common roots of the image and the imaginary, flirting with pop art, surrealism, bling, kitsch, and the baroque,” says a statement.

Chromotherapia opens February 28 and continues through June 9 in Rome, and an accompanying catalogue published by Damiani is slated for release in March in the U.K. and May in the U.S. Pre-order your copy in the Colossal Shop.

cover of the book 'Chromotherapia' with a photograph of a white kitten sitting on a stack of three silk pillows — Cover of ‘Chromotherapia’ (2025). Featured image by Walter Chandoha, “New Jersey” (1962). Image ©️ Walter Chandoha Archive

a photograph of a woman, face down on a tile floor, with her hair over her face and an open can of hot dogs next to her — Juno Calypso, “Chicken Dogs” (2015), archival pigment print. Image © Courtesy the artist and TJ Boulting

a photograph by William Wegman of a weimaraner wearing a red puff jacket and a knitted hat — William Wegman, “Ski Patrol” (2017). Image courtesy of Galerie George-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois

a portrait of four cats on a blue background, on the back cover of a book with a pink cover — The back cover of Damiani’s catalogue for the exhibition ‘Chromotherapia: The Feel-Good Color Photography,’ featuring a photo by Walter Chandoha

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article A Provocative Photography Exhibition Invites You to Experience ‘Chromotherapia’ appeared first on Colossal.

A Provocative Photography Exhibition Invites You to Experience ‘Chromotherapia’

Championing the potential of the medium, artist Maurizio Cattelan and French Academy in Rome—Villa Medici director Sam Stourdzé curated Chromotherapia: The Feel-Good Color Photography.

Color therapy, though deemed a pseudoscience, has its roots in color theory, which focuses on interactions between hues and how they affect our moods and emotions.

Deniz Kurdak Crafts Fragility and Resilience in Embroidered Depictions of Porcelain

“What draws me to the motif of ceramics is the deep sense of belonging they evoke in me,” says Deniz Kurdak. The London-based artist is fascinated by blue-and-white porcelain—a style that originated in China as early as the 7th century and was broadly imitated and collected around the globe—and the way certain pieces inspire familiarity. She adds, “They have even found their way into my grandmother’s home.”

Themes of identity, belonging, and memory play central roles in Kurdak’s work, as she draws on personal histories and bases her compositions on real objects that remind her of pieces her grandmother owned.

a colorful embroidery of broken plate pieces — “Fragments,” 30 x 40 centimeters

“Growing up with an abusive father, I found sanctuary in my grandparents’ home—a safe, predictable, and nurturing space where I felt accepted,” the artist tells Colossal. “Along with my admiration for blue-and-white porcelain, my passion for textiles and embroidery was passed down to me by my grandmother.”

Bringing conceptual elements to needlework, a craft traditionally dismissed in art circles as “women’s work,” she emphasizes expression and narrative. “I like to reimagine the acts of cutting, stitching, and embroidering as forms of emotional repair,” she says, “allowing me to reconstruct and navigate the complexities of my personal history.”

Long associated with its calming and meditative nature, “embroidery has become both a medium and a means of reflection in my artistic process,” Kurdak says. Seemingly at odds with making intimate and methodical stitches, her images suggest the violence of breakage, suddenness, and the relationship between ornament and utility.

Kurdak is intrigued by dualities—fragility and resilience, belonging and displacement—which mirror the tensions and contradictions of the human condition. Contrasting brittle yet durable porcelain with pliable yet resistant fabric and thread, she highlights polarities in the act of merging the ideas together.

an embroidery of a red-and-white porcelain plate broken into pieces — “Not Even Close,” 48 x 48 centimeters

Blue-and-white porcelain predominantly inspires Kurdak’s compositions, but she also renders red, green, or multi-colored pieces in textiles, too. She uses a wide range of needlework and fabric techniques, including appliqué, lacework, and embroidery. Vases appear to melt into streams, lacy decorations hover above the surface, and motifs rearrange into puzzle-like grids or dynamic swirls.

If you’re in London, “Willow” is currently on view at the Young Masters Art Prize Finalists Exhibition through April 8. Kurdak’s work will be included in Collect Art Fair opening in late February at Somerset House, followed by Affordable Art Fair in March in New York. Learn more on her website, and followed updates on Instagram.

an embroidery of blue-and-white porcelain pieces arranged like puzzle pieces — “Willow,” 60 x 60 centimeters

an embroidery of a blue-and-white porcelain jar with the decoration in long blue streams in the lower half — “Jar Descending,” 120 x 90 centimeters

a lacework art piece of a blue-and-white porcelain motif on a white background — “Anguish in Blue,” 27 x 47 centimeters

a detail of a lacework art piece of a blue-and-white porcelain motif on a white background — Detail “Anguish in Blue”

an embroidery of a green-and-white porcelain plate broken into pieces — “Disjointed,” 49 x 49 centimeters

an embroidery of a blue-and-white porcelain plate swirling on one side — “Dissolving Willow,” 55 x 55 centimeters

an embroidery of blue-and-white porcelain jar pieces arranged like puzzle pieces — “Mother Jar,” 80 x 80 centimeters

a detail of a textile artwork of blue-and-white porcelain plate pieces appliqued on a green background — Detail of “Pieces on Green”

an embroidery of a blue-and-white porcelain plate broken into pieces — “This Beyond,” 49 x 49 centimeters

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Deniz Kurdak Crafts Fragility and Resilience in Embroidered Depictions of Porcelain appeared first on Colossal.

Deniz Kurdak Crafts Fragility and Resilience in Embroidered Depictions of Porcelain

From Dazzling Lights to Bursting Geysers, Jennifer Esseiva Captures Iceland’s Diverse Scenery

Nicknamed “The Land of Fire and Ice,” Iceland is home to an exceptionally diverse array of landscapes teeming with topographical gems and majestic skies. For these reasons, it’s no surprise the destination is considered a haven for photographers all over the world. After dreaming of visiting the scenic country for years, 2024 finally presented an opportunity for Swiss photographer Jennifer Esseiva (previously).

Esseiva devoted a 10-day trip across southern Iceland entirely to the region’s vast surroundings, from the black sand beaches, towering glaciers, and impressive waterfalls to the moss-covered formations and striking displays of the Northern Lights.

an aerial photo of a broken wooden boat floating in dark waters

“Where many prefer to travel in sunshine, I’m more interested in clouds and rain,” she says. “I’ve always found that photographing landscapes in different weather conditions gives them another dimension, a unique grandeur.”

The photographer is planning a forthcoming trip in March, this time to Finnish Lapland. Keep an eye on her Instagram for more, and check out her website for past projects and prints for purchase.

an aerial photo of a meandering river situated between mountains in Iceland

a small, isolated church glows with the colors of the Northern Lights in the sky above

a small figure wearing a yellow jacket stands before a massive waterfall and a glowing sky displaying a monumental view of the Northern lights

a figure stands in the opening of a cave, its silhouette accentuated against a glowing sky displaying the Northern lights.

a tall and vertical cliff, isolated by raging waters

a black sand beach near the cliffs in Iceland

an Iceland landscape at dawn with mountains, plateaus, rivers, and waterfalls

A moss-covered landscape in the hills of Iceland

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article From Dazzling Lights to Bursting Geysers, Jennifer Esseiva Captures Iceland’s Diverse Scenery appeared first on Colossal.

From Dazzling Lights to Bursting Geysers, Jennifer Esseiva Captures Iceland’s Diverse Scenery

The photographer is planning a forthcoming trip in March, this time to Finnish Lapland. Keep an eye on her Instagram for more, and check out her website for past projects and prints for purchase.

In the 2024 Ocean Art Contest, Circling Sharks and Squadrons of Rays Steal the Show

Mobula rays are often referred to as “devil rays,” but unlike their relatives, stingrays, they lack a stinger, making them a bit less nefarious than their name implies. When rays gather together into a group, it’s known as a squadron, and for photographers Brittany Ilardi and Eduardo Acevedo, the phenomenon inspired award-winning photos in the 2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest presented by Underwater Photography Guide.

Now in its 13th year, the competition saw record-breaking participation with entries submitted from more than 90 countries. From macro views like Imogen Manin’s capture of a fish camouflaged in coral to stunning black-and-white scenes like Eduardo Labat’s best-in-show sighting of circling white-tip sharks, the winning images showcase the beauty, diversity, and vulnerability of underwater ecosystems.

a black-and-white photograph of a large group of manta rays — Honorable Mention in the Black-and-White category: Brittany Ilardi, “Fevered,” La Ventana Bay, La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Additional commended images include portraits of nudibranchs in the Philippines, a swimming octopus in Spain, and diving seabirds in Scotland’s northern isles. A category devoted to underwater conservation encourages us to think more carefully about what happens to single-use plastics when we’re finished with them or how discarded fishing equipment and ghost nets can harm wildlife. Other creative categories include digital, blackwater, behavior, and underwater fashion.

“The talent and vision displayed by our participants have set new benchmarks for underwater photography,” says contest organizer Nirupam Nigam, who is also president of Bluewater Photo and editor-in-chief of the Underwater Photography Guide. “These images do more than win awards; they captivate hearts and minds, reaching millions globally and reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect the ocean’s beauty.”

Dive into the online winners’ gallery, and keep an eye on the competition’s website for announcements about the open call for the 2025 edition.

a little sea creature pokes its head out from some bioluminescent coral — Fifth Place in the Portrait category: Ilaria Mariaguilia Rizzuto, “Mr. Bo,” Anilao, Philippines

a number of circling white-tipped sharks photographed from above — Best in Show winner and First Place in Black-and-White category: Eduardo Labat, “Dancing White Tips,” Roca Partida, Revillagigedo, Mexico

a nudibranch photographed on the sea floor with bioluminescent blue outlines — Third Place in the Nudibranchs category: David Pleuvret, “Hydatina,” La jetée, St-Pierre, La Réunion

a gannet dives underwater — Second Place in the Cold Water category: Kat Zhou, “Plunge,” Shetland, Scotland

a black-and-white photograph of the underside of an octopus's tentacles — Honorable Mention in the Black-and-White category: Xaime Beiro, “Below the Octopus,” Louro (Galicia), Spain

a group of manta rays in a giant ball underwater — Honorable Mention in the Wide Angle category: Eduardo Acevedo, “The Mobula Ball,” Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico

a colorful nudibranch underwater with unique spines or fins — First Place in the Portrait category: Stefano Cerbai, “Exceptional Shipping,” Australia

a bunch of trash being dropped into the ocean — Honorable Mention in the Underwater Conservation category: Olivier Clement, “Ocean Litter,” Indonesia, Raja Ampat

a tiny sea creature hides among flower-like coral — Honorable Mention in the Nudibranchs category: Giancarlo Mazarese, “Underwater Flowers,” Philippines, Anilao, Koala Reef

an elegant fish with very long top and lower fins, backlit by orange light against a black background — First Place in the Macro category: Adam Martin, “Juvenile Batfish,” Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article In the 2024 Ocean Art Contest, Circling Sharks and Squadrons of Rays Steal the Show appeared first on Colossal.