Student Pedro Stoeckli Pires has been named the winner of 2019’s Green Templeton Photography Competition, which aimed to find the most striking original image of one or more college members at work.
Pedro’s picture shows Green Templeton Musician-in-Residence Maki Sekiya playing piano in the Observatory Common Room.
Pedro Stoeckli Pires’ striking image of Green Templeton Musician-in-Residence Maki Sekiya has won the 2019 Photography Competition
The judging panel, which included Green Templeton Artist-in-Residence Weimin He, praised the image for meeting all of the Photography Competition criteria.
They said: “This photograph stood out for encapsulating all of the criteria of the competition – originality, technical ability, relevance to the theme, and a strong, clear composition that highlights the concentration of the Musician-in-Residence.
“The black and white image is still and silent, yet makes us think of music and melody.”
Pedro said of his entry: “Our Musician-in-Residence for the 2018-19 academic session has presented three times throughout this academic year. I went to all three recitals and was extremely impressed by the ability and interpretations of the Japanese virtuoso pianist.
“During certain pieces, she would play complex harmonies in such a fast manner it sounded like two people were playing at once. When I took this picture it seemed to represent that feeling well, as if there were two Maki playing together in that room.
“Music is a very important part in the daily life of Green Templeton College members and it sets the college apart from others.”
Principal Denise Lievesley announced the winning picture and four honourable mentions at the Green Templeton annual garden party on 29 June (Credit: Nuno Pereira)
Principal Denise Lievesley announced Pedro as the winner at the college garden party on Saturday 29 June. He received a cash prize of £150 and his photograph will be shared in official Green Templeton College publications.
The judging panel also selected four further photographs submitted by Green Templeton students Mira Schneiders, Jim Chesterfield and Keiko Kanno, and staff member Anne Highsmith, for honourable mentions.
HONOURABLE MENTION – Submitted by Mira Schneiders
The judging panel said: “The magical light and colour in this well-framed image create a beautiful atmosphere showing where we all want to be on a summer’s day at work. Carolyn’s task of watering a newly-planted garden to help it grow mirrors the college’s desire to nurture students and help them flourish.”
Honourable mention: Mira Schneiders
HONOURABLE MENTION – Submitted by Anne Highsmith
The judging panel said: “This photograph of the porters preparing for the summer ball reflects their role within college – the friendly, familiar smiles and cheer that always greet each member of the Green Templeton community, and their willingness to help us each and every day.”
Honourable mention: Anne Highsmith
HONOURABLE MENTION – Submitted by Jim Chesterfield
The judging panel said: “This image of friends taking a moment to appreciate the sunlight in the library captures the realities of being a student in Oxford as the warm weather begins and catching a few rays of sunshine becomes hugely desirable. Hard at work, they take a brief rest from studying to gather their thoughts and bask in the warmth as it streams through the windows, before resuming work.”
Honourable mention: Jim Chesterfield
HONOURABLE MENTION – Submitted by Keiko Kanno
The judging panel said: “This photograph perfectly captures the sweet duck companions that the Green Templeton community were so used to seeing together until just recently. It pays tribute to the college staff behind the scenes that look after our duck visitors so well, which in turn brings joy and happiness in the busy working lives of everyone at college.”
Keiko said: “I captured the ducks that keep coming back to Green Templeton every year. The friendly ducks make Green Templeton College members smile, even on a busy and stressful day. Through these pictures I’d like to acknowledge Green Templeton staff members for feeding the ducks every day. The staff were a little too shy to be photographed so I’m hoping the ducks will represent their work and contributions in always making a positive difference in the Green Templeton community.”
Honourable mention: Keiko Kanno
Green Templeton would like to thank this year’s judging panel:
- Davide Bilardi, GCR Secretary
- Alison Franklin, Academic Registrar
- Weimin He, Artist-in-Residence
- Marton Magocsi, Reuters Institute Fellow and photojournalist
The Green Templeton Photography Competition is made possible by the generous support of Dr Elman Poole.
Further entries in 2019's Photography Competition
Submitted by Aman Gupta: "The concert by internationally renowned concert pianist Maki Sekiya - our Musician-in-Residence - accompanied by the St Anne's College Camerata, in the sunlit and awe-inspiring Radcliffe Observatory Tower of the Winds, and drawn by Green Templeton Resident Artist, Weimin He, encapsulates Green Templeton's unique atmosphere. Developing such musical links between the college and our neighbours, as well as the college's investment in the arts, epitomises the attention to detail, placemaking, and maturing of our young college. This snapshot is emblematic of many of the college's most fervent champions of culture, the fellows and donors who support these events, Roland Rosner who organises them, and our Musician- and Artist-in-Residence. Critically, the image shows how every reality is smoothed in every individual's interpretation of it. Weiman He's sketch and my photography of the performance of Richard Strauss' Metamorphosen, are three levels of interpretation of the majestic atmosphere that pervaded throughout the Tower that day. With this awareness, I hope as academics we take to our disciplines a reflection and constantly challenge our ontologies."Submitted by Anne Highsmith: Ready for the Summer Ball.Submitted by Anne Highsmith: Teamwork in the Lodge.Submitted by Charles Roehr: "As a Research Fellow, working in the JR, I oftentimes come to college at odd hours, before or after the main traffic happens at Green Templeton, thus my images reflect on a college 'between' the hours of busy academic college life."Submitted by Charles Roehr: "As a Research Fellow, working in the JR, I oftentimes come to college at odd hours, before or after the main traffic happens at Green Templeton, thus my images reflect on a college 'between' the hours of busy academic college life."Submitted by Chloe White. "This photo includes three Green Templeton students on fieldwork in the Lake District to learn about environmental change and management issues in a National Park. The photo was taken at Casterligg Stone Circle near Keswick in Cumbria."Submitted by Clemens Jarnach.Submitted by Clemens Jarnach.Submitted by Gifford Tan. Portrait of Green Templeton's Head Gardener Michael Pirie. "Michael has been a constant fixture for me as I make my daily way to the bike shed from the Doll Building to begin the day. You never quite realise the tireless work that he puts in."Submitted by Gifford Tan. Portrait of Green Templeton's Head Gardener Michael Pirie. "Michael has been a constant fixture for me as I make my daily way to the bike shed from the Doll Building to begin the day. You never quite realise the tireless work that he puts in."Submitted by Gifford Tan. Portrait of Green Templeton's Head Gardener Michael Pirie. "Michael has been a constant fixture for me as I make my daily way to the bike shed from the Doll Building to begin the day. You never quite realise the tireless work that he puts in."Submitted by Keiko Kanno: "A day in June at Green Templeton."Submitted by Keiko Kanno: "The Green Templeton ducks and the Observatory."Submitted by Louisa Gnatiuc. Taken at a Green Templeton College concert.Submitted by Louisa Gnatiuc. Taken at a Green Templeton College concert.Submitted by Luke Allen. "A selfie from an international workshop on implementation science, held on the outskirts of snowy Moscow in February."Submitted by Luke Allen. "The sinusoidal Thames and city of London welcome me back from an overseas mission where I was working as the rapporteur for a World Health Organisation event."Submitted by Pedro Stoeckli Pires. "Our Musician-in-Residence for the 2018-19 academic session has presented three times throughout this academic year. In this picture she was warming up before her last recital of the year, which happened in the Trinity term. An early bird is besides her watching her playing. Music is a very important part in the daily life of Green Templeton College members and it sets the college apart from others."Submitted by Pedro Stoeckli. "Green Templeton is also known for its many sport activities. Regular yoga classes are taught on Sundays, usually inside the gym. This photo was taken on 24 February, when the sun came out for the first time after a long winter. The yoga instructor, Kamila Nigmatulina, invited the group to go outside and try a different class instead of the regular indoors session. It was a lovely morning and the group enjoyed doing the stretching in front of the beautiful Radcliffe Observatory. Since then, we have had a few more yoga lessons on that same spot."Submitted by Peter Ho: "A photo taken in the Observatory Common Room. The place was nice and quiet and I indulged in my research work."Submitted by Peter Hurtubise. "The Green Templeton College gardens flourish thanks to Michael’s time, insight, and expertise. His deep care for the college inspires us all as we work, study, and research. Michael’s quiet wisdom nourishes the beauty of our garden, and I can think of no finer role model for our learning community."Submitted by Peter Hurtubise. "The Green Templeton College gardens flourish thanks to Michael’s time, insight, and expertise. His deep care for the college inspires us all as we work, study, and research. Michael’s quiet wisdom nourishes the beauty of our garden, and I can think of no finer role model for our learning community."Submitted by Summer Qassim. "Working while watching my children: a view from my desk in the Green Templeton College library."
