The 2023 London International Creative Competition Has Announced Its Winners (20 Pics)

Bored Panda reached out to Tammy Swarek, the photographer behind the winning series ‘Father.’ The artist shared with us more about the inspiration behind the project: “My journey into the ‘Father’ series began unexpectedly during preparations for an underwater shoot with the Benson family. Joanna Benson, the mother, was apprehensive about being underwater, unlike her husband, Matt, a natural swimmer. This contrast shifted my focus towards the father-daughter relationship. Surprisingly, my search through historical art for inspiration revealed a significant gap: fathers, if depicted, were often shown as detached, a stark contrast to the involved and loving fathers of today. This realization spurred me to blend modern life with historical themes, aiming to showcase the rich, yet overlooked, narrative of fatherhood.”

Tammy told us more about the idea of crafting emotional narratives through art: “Creating ‘Father’ posed unique challenges, particularly in portraying the nuanced relationship between fathers and children. The societal stigma around male affection meant navigating a fine line to depict intimacy and love. Flowers and water became central symbols in my work; flowers for their universal language of emotions, and water symbolizing cleansing and a new perspective on fatherhood. We send flowers for so many reasons, love, death, sympathy, and congratulations. They signify emotional responses to things that are sometimes difficult to handle. They soften the hard edges of life in the most beautiful and delicate way. Water represents cleansing, rebirth and an alternate reality to our own. I felt like that fit our theme because reality of paternal love has been hidden from public view. Each element was carefully chosen to support the narrative of a deep, meaningful paternal connection.”

The conceptual artist continued: “Designing the sets for ‘Father’ was an extensive process, from researching to integrating meaningful symbols to evoke the feeling of historical art while showcasing men in nurturing roles. This required careful consideration of every detail, ensuring that each photograph told a story of love, connection, and the transformative power of fatherhood.”

We were wondering what the photographer hopes the viewers take away from experiencing her series. Swarek answered: “I hope the ‘Father’ series illuminates the importance of the paternal bond, which has always been crucial yet rarely celebrated in art. The series aims to broaden the perception of fatherhood, featuring diverse representations from grandfathers raising grandchildren to two-dad families and beyond. My hope is for viewers to see the strength and depth of father-child relationships, challenging preconceived notions and celebrating their resilience and growth.”

Tammy has also shared with us her future aspirations for continuing a journey with the series: “‘Father’ is just beginning, with a remarkable lineup of families to photograph throughout the year, leading up to its first solo show at the South Arkansas Art Center in El Dorado this December. This series is a testament to the power of art to heal, connect, and challenge societal norms, inspired by personal loss and a desire to spotlight the unseen beauty of fatherhood.”

Lastly, we found out more about the artist’s personal reflection regarding her meaningful project: “Starting ‘Father’ was a turning point during a period of profound grief after losing my mom to Alzheimer’s. Sharing the first image felt like a leap of faith, met with an encouraging response that felt like a gift from my mom, especially from Michael Silverwise, professor at the International Center of Photography in NYC, whose participation adds depth to the project. The series gained momentum, attracting attention from Jill Brooke, former CNN correspondent and founder of 'Flower Power Daily,' who will be documenting the journey, enriching the narrative and connection to the audience.

Winning the 2024 London International Creative Competition was a highlight, bringing joy and a sense of achievement to everyone involved, especially to young Parker, who hopes ‘Harry Potter sees me because he lives in London too.’”