Jupiter Rising At Waipiata

The random find of a textbook about Chinese art in the bargain bin of a Christchurch bookshop was the catalyst for several of my recent photographic compositions. I enjoyed the subtle, subdued, and dreamlike qualities of ancient Chinese screens and panels. Blending this with the muted, restrained tones of my Maniototo home in winter resonated with me on an intuitive level. Yes, this area does have a long association with Chinese gold mining, but for me, it was more of a visual aesthetic.

I often find the tranquil embrace of fog-bound trees around the Maniototo plain and Taieri River to be a slightly melancholic environment. The fog makes things very quiet and brings me in touch with my creativity. Being out in the cold air and attuned to the smallest things in my environment is my kind of meditation. There is a sense of aloneness—as opposed to loneliness. Upon discovering the sculpture of Jupiter majestically standing out in the fog, something intuitive in me clicked. This was the touch of elegant manmade artistry that I had been looking for.  I had already constructed my panels with their beautiful foggy trees and rice paper-like background texture, and there was a space—the perfect place to isolate the sculptural structure of Jupiter, the sole evidence of man in this natural landscape.

I paid attention to the composition, where every element—from the foggy trees and timber frame to the rice paper-like background texture—plays a crucial role. These elements draw inspiration from the balance and harmony celebrated in ancient Chinese art. Communication through colour plays a role too, with the soft and understated colour palette again referencing ink work on silk. This fusion of contemporary photography with a subtle appreciation for classical art aesthetics has been fertile ground for my creative brain.

I hope that by depicting nature in this way, my art becomes more than a record but a source of inspiration and contemplation. Capturing the transient beauty of nature in this way, I hope to invite viewers to pause and appreciate the intricate details of the world around them.

To view “Jupiter Rising At Waipiata” in my online shop click here.

This image received a coveted gold distinction award at the 2023 NZIPP Iris awards.  It was also part of Janyne's portfolio as NZIPP Landscape (Open) Photographer of the Year for 2023.  In 2024 this image received a silver award at the Australian Photographic Prize Competition.

Side Note:  

Jupiter Rising At Waipiata’s companion piece is “Time Worn Tree”  which has a similar aesthetic and again references ancient Chinese art.  Learn more about ‘Time Worn Tree” here.