The Creation Of Adam
Ben Alldridge | @benjaminalldridge
Numbering just under 300 and standing for hundreds of years defiant against one of the harshest environments in Australia, the Miena cider gum (Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata) has been a consistent companion for the traditional custodians of the land, the Tyerrernotepanner who have lived beside and relied on nourishment from them for millennia. The Central Plateau’s high altitude, usually dry air, and distance from much of humanity make it an excellent observing locale for astronomy – a pastime sadly being ruined by the relentless acceleration of ‘space junk’ – criss-crossing our skies at hellish pace, and leaving inescapable light trails in its wake. Humans have left indelible marks across virtually every environment on terra firma, such as the relentless march of climate change that has driven the Ciders to the brink of extinction; particularly bad wildfire seasons in the recent decades have wiped out the vast majority of the population, leaving ghostly gnarled remains on the Highland landscape. Terra firma bears our scars, but space at large does not need to.
BEAKER STREET SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
This photograph was a finalist in Beaker Street’s annual Science Photography Prize. This highly-respected prize invites amateur and professional photographers to showcase the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — which is teeming with science and scientists. Finalist images are displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during Beaker Street Festival each August, with great prizes on offer for Judges’ and People’s Choice winners.
The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize is sponsored by Pennicott Foundation — thank you crew! It would not be possible without the support of Full Gamut, Tasmania’s premier fine art printers, as well as the wonderful Tasmanian businesses who donate prizes.
