Alchemy - Alli Harper
An anxiety inducing compost heap that’s caught on fire. / Cool burning in the West Australian bush.
Alchemy
Alli Harper
One of the four classical elements, Fire is a powerful symbol of transformation, representing both renewal and destruction. It has long held a place in mythology and religion across societies. The cycle of life is a constant kindling of sparks and the dying of embers. Fire symbolises purification, spiritual connection, and is a symbol of passion and danger. Everything it touches is transformed.
Fire features in our everyday parlance with many different meanings - “spreading like wildfire”, “fanning the flames”, “pouring oil on the fire”, “being on fire”, “being snuffed out”, “burning desire”, and finally, “burning questions”.
Fire references personalities and relationships: “fire in the belly”, “fiery temper”, “lit up”, “sparks flying”. The list is extensive.
This body of work reflects on all aspects of fire. It is part of an ongoing series to which I will add self-portraits and refine.
Bonfires and celebrations. / The remains of trees after the devastating bush fires that burned 49% of Kangaroo Island, SA.
A burnt abandoned house in suburbia, South Australia.
Bushfire in Hastings which we watched over our back fence. / Fireworks on New Year’s Eve (not for sale to the general public for fear of bushfires).
A burnt out car in the Australian bush near Trentham.
Flying over bushfires in Northern Queensland. Traces on land and humans.
Celebratory Fire.
Flaming autumn leaves. / The comfort of an open fire in the alps.
Sustaining fire.
Destructive fire.
Fire over far northern Queensland
Remains of a burnt house.
Flying sparks. / Bushfire damaged trees.
Winter bonfire. / Fire in nature.
Black Saturday. Scenes from the Marysville bushfires where 39 people perished, 179 in total in the surrounding area .
Alli Harper is a photographer based in Naarm, Victoria, Australia. With a background in interior design, she studied photography at Prahran Polytechnic and was awarded Victorian Emerging Photographer of the year in the year of her graduation.
Alli documents urban and natural landscapes, exploring the mythology of place and how we are shaped by it. Our environment mirrors society’s norms and aspirations. As it changes, is repurposed, or abandoned, it holds up a mirror to broader changes taking place and how we see the world around us. Living in a dry continent regularly marred by devastating bushfires, Alli has long been preoccupied with photographing the effects of fire. With the current effects of climate change, this threat becomes even more imminent.
Alli’s work has been exhibited locally and internationally and her work can be found in private collections in Australia and the USA.
https://www.alliharperphotographer.com/
