Graveyard Shift

It was early August 2020. The statewide covid lockdown in South Australia was over. The pandemic seemed like it was waning and restrictions easing. Time to turn towards the light. I moved into the city of Adelaide and my sunset walks would sometimes take me through the historic West Terrace Cemetery. The stories on the headstones and plaques were a stark reminder of the fleetingness of life, it's great successes and it's cruel tragedies. But, the angels and figures in the golden hour light spoke of something beyond the everyday to me. Death and renewal. Hopes and Dreams. Magic and Loss. Traveling light, just me and my iPhone camera.

  • Ashley Starkey
    Photographer
  • Date Taken:
    September 16, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Camera:
    iPhone 12 Pro MaX & iPhone 7
  • Student Project:
    No
Artist Biography

Starkey has been working and creating as a photographer and filmmaker for more than 25 years. Currently he's creating with digital tools, but his early photographic work included darkroom experiments, in-camera multiple exposures, paint and collage. Starkey is based in Adelaide, South Australia, but his work has taken him around the globe.
He's won numerous awards and his work has been published and screened around the globe.
International Symbolic Art Film Festival 2021- Best Photography
Los Angeles International Photography Awards 2021 - Winning Photograph
International World Photography Awards 2021 - inaugural Winner
European International Film Festival 2021- Best Cinematography
Gangtok International FF (India) 2021 - Award Winning film
Anne & Gordon Samstag 'Jeffrey Smart’ comp 2013 – Major Prize Winner
South Australian Music Industry 2000 – Best CD Artwork (Top 10 in National ARIA CD artwork awards)

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Artist Statement

Currently I'm enjoying the immediacy of the phone camera in my pocket and the challenge of shooting within it's limitations. Documenting the urban and natural environment is an abiding passion. I enjoy exploring what lays around the corners of my hometown suburban and city streets, little country towns and back-roads. Looking forward to getting back to thriving big overseas cities. In the meantime this graveyard is within walking distance from where I live. At sunset during lockdowns and the pandemic It just seemed to be the place to be!