About the Image
Nunna’s Devotion
03 June 2024
Nunna’s devotion to her faith was evident in her home, where she lived alone for many years after her husband's death. This image was taken in her living room, with her effigy of Jesus proudly displayed in the corner. It was made from an old television set. Her children combined to refurbish the timber set by removing the broken tube and refitting it with a light, upholstery, curtains, and a baby doll like Jesus.
I originally went to photograph Nunna in her prayer room at Greystanes, which was beautifully decorated with religious icons and a space dedicated to practising her faith. I only had a standard lens on the 2 1/4 square format camera, which unfortunately limited the opportunities for a portrait in such a tiny space. However, Nunna turned on the lights of her Jesus effigy, and the photograph was taken in her living room. Since Nunna’s passing, this image has reminded me of her faith and the time capsule home where she lived. Nunna’s home no longer exists, having been knocked down to build more modern houses on the once large block in Western Sydney.
Nunna’s Devotion was a finalist for the Head On Portrait Prize in 2023 and exhibited in the Head On exhibition at the Bondi Pavillon art gallery in the finalist group exhibition. I was thrilled that this image was selected but initially wasn’t sure if it would be acceptable because it does not have a person physically depicted in the image. I have been told that this is a rare occasion for the Portrait Prize, but not one that excludes photographic portraits for the prize. Nunna’s Devotion is an image of a space representing a person's life, experience and belief. That is what makes this photograph a portrait.
From an aesthetic perspective, the image is an interesting one. The furnishings display an aesthetic from decades ago that represents an era of Nunna’s life. The colour palette is muted red, pink, white and brown and works well within the furnishings period. There is, however, a somewhat eerie feel to the image of the baby doll encapsulated within the box structure of the television set. While it is clear it is an effigy of Jesus as a newborn, the ambiguity adds an interesting dimension. It has a compelling element of two meanings and engages the viewer to read the image more closely.
Tech Notes: Nunna’s Devotion was shot on a Hasselblad CM500 film camera with an 80mm lens using Kodak Vericolour III film and processed in C41. Lighting was available light.
