Chris Slabber's "I am Nesia": A Visual Ode to the Human Spirit

Award-Winning Exhibition Series Captures the Emotional Landscape of the Pandemic

The inspiration for "I am Nesia" came from an unexpected source - a photograph of a moth against a dirty window. The moth itself did not make for a great photo, but the out-of-focus background stirred emotions. This led Slabber to experiment with landscapes, manipulating focus to create images that resembled blurry watercolour paintings. The result was a series of 'colour scapes' that moved away from traditional landscape photography.

"I am Nesia" is a reflection of the effects of the lockdown on the human spirit. The out-of-focus images and the dark figure looming in the background represent the blanket of fear that draped across society during the pandemic. The series documents how loneliness affected human behaviour and the spike in anxiety and depression experienced on a global scale.

The series was created using a unique technique of turning the focus in the wrong direction to manipulate pixels. The aim was to find a good composition of colours instead of focusing on the traditional elements of foreground, middle ground, and background. The dark figure was inserted into the selected colour scapes in Photoshop, and each piece was finished with a grain texture to enhance the emotional value.

The end product will be produced as large format light boxes, with dimensions of 1200mm x 2000mm. The light box will further enhance the emotional value of the pieces. The series was created in June 2020 during the hard lockdown, with Slabber having to sneak out during curfew to take the photos.

"I am Nesia" is a reminder of the uncertainty and fear felt globally during the pandemic. But more importantly, it is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to adapt, survive, and overcome. The series was awarded Silver in A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.