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Title: Unseen
Tahlia Kousvos , Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures a gazing eye, its focus lost in the unseen. The composition makes you wonder what lies just beyond the frame- mirroring the uncertainty and potential of the future. The eye, often called the window to the soul, symbolizes introspection and vision, reminding us to have the courage to face the unknown. This image resonates with the theme by challenging us to think beyond the present, to envision a future informed by reflection and purpose. It is both an invitation and a call to action: to look inward, dream outward, and embrace the unknown.
Title: Reflections
Tahlia Kousvos, Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures a peaceful moment where nature and its mirrored reflection merge seamlessly, blurring the line between reality and its echo. The image evokes a sense of wonder-an invitation to pause and consider the future we are creating. The vibrant hues of the natural elements hint at the resilience and beauty of the environment, urging us to preserve it for generations to come. The water reflection is a metaphor for the choices before us: will the future reflect our devotion and responsibility, or will it distort into something unrecognizable? The photograph asks viewers not just to look, but to feel, to recognize that the future lies not in the distant horizon, but in every reflection of our choices.
Title: Preserving Today, Protecting Tomorrow
Samantha Farrugia, Undergraduate Student
The future is in their hands. Watching them run to the pristine shores of Pelican Lagoon on Kangaroo Island fills me with hope and a deep sense of responsibility. This breathtaking beauty must endure—not just as a memory, but as a legacy of what we choose to protect today. Let’s ensure they inherit a world worth running towards.
Title: The Stray Cat’s Morning Journey
Cheng Wang, Postgraduate Student
Captured with my iPhone 12, this photo tells a story from a remote village in Xinjiang, China.
Before the break of dawn, I encountered a stray cat quietly wandering the street. The morning was still cloaked in clouds, the sun yet to rise, but the soft glow of lights from the homes and the gentle curl of smoke from chimneys painted a scene of peace and resilience. Even in the absence of sunlight, the cat ventured out, seeking sustenance, and beginning its day—a reminder that no matter how dark or challenging our moments may seem, hope persists. Like the cat, we must embrace the possibility of a brighter tomorrow, carrying our faith forward with each step.
Title: Oasis
Oliver Dawson, Undergraduate Student
This photo depicts a small oasis within the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is the Tokyo suburbs. Tokyo and Japan, in general, are advanced nations boasting technological, social, and economic progress that could only be called futuristic.
Some scholars, architects, and urban planners alike see metropolises as the cities of the future. However, Tokyo, while advanced, still holds onto tradition in the form of these temple complexes within its sprawling cities. In this case, this small temple complex provides an oasis for tourists, workers, and locals alike who are looking for some peace in the shade of the trees or the temple.
As a tourist from the Adelaide Hills, it was wonderful to find a small section of peace and nature in the futuristic metropolis that reminded me of home. Places like these should not be forgotten in our society's future, as they provide a hub of community, peace, and calm for those who need it.
Title: Life in a Desolate Desert
Sophia Poppe, Casual Staff
The future may appear distant and hopeless, but you don't need to look too far to see hope and possibility...
(Photo taken in the Sahara Desert in October 2024. The flourishing plants in the foreground of what appears to be a lifeless desert, were also once too far to see).
Title: Beyond the Horizon
Jingyi Wei, Postgraduate Student
As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky ignites with hues of magenta, violet, and amber, casting a futuristic glow over the cityscape. This image captures a twilight scene where the lights of modern civilisation blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the sunset, creating an ambiance of harmony between human innovation and nature’s splendour. The illuminated roads, veined with the glow of headlights, hint at the pulse of a society moving forward. This scene symbolizes a future where urban life and the environment exist in balance, inspiring a vision of a sustainable, interconnected world.
Title: Radiant Silence
Valery Salemink, Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures the ethereal moment when the sun sits directly behind a solitary tree in the forest, casting radiant light rays around its trunk and branches. The interplay of sunlight and shadows creates a halo effect, enveloping the tree in a soft, golden glow. The surrounding forest is bathed in warm light, highlighting the contrast between the tree’s silhouette and the vibrant energy of the sun. This image evokes a sense of awe and reverence, emphasizing nature’s ability to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. It serves as a visual meditation on the quiet power of light, the life of the tree, and the serenity of the forest.
Title: Glimmering Treasures
Valery Salemink, Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures the delicate beauty of seashells scattered across rugged cliffs, their surfaces sparkling in the golden light. The natural shimmer of the shells contrasts with the rough texture of the cliffside, creating a striking visual of both fragility and strength. The interplay of light and shadow highlights the intricate patterns of the shells, while the surrounding environment hints at the powerful forces of nature that have shaped this coastal landscape. This image serves as a reminder of the quiet elegance found in nature’s smallest details, inviting the viewer to reflect on the harmony between the earth and the sea.
Title: Ocean’s Glow
Valery Salemink, Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures the fleeting moment when a wave hits the shore, bathed in the warm, golden hues of a sunset. The interplay of light and water creates a stunning visual contrast, with the wave’s crest reflecting the soft, fading sunlight. The tranquil yet dynamic motion of the water emphasizes nature’s beauty and the transient nature of time. The image invites reflection on the harmony between the ocean and sky, offering a serene yet powerful depiction of the natural world at dusk. This photograph serves as both an aesthetic and meditative representation of the connection between light, water, and the passage of day into night.
Title: Floating Dreams of an Oasis
Valery Salemink, Undergraduate Student
In this image, delicate, see-through bubbles float gently across a lush green backyard. Each bubble reflects tiny bits of color from the surroundings, almost as if they contain little worlds of their own. The palm trees in the background are slightly blurry, adding a dreamy feel to the scene, while the bubbles appear like colorful dreams, captured mid-air. The overall effect makes the backyard feel like an oasis, inviting viewers to pause and take in the peaceful, magical moment.
Title: Time Flies
Gursimrat Kaur, Undergraduate Student
This photograph captures an airplane soaring above the clouds, a stark reminder of how time flies into the future. The plane’s flight symbolizes the passage of time, carrying us from now to the unknown. As the wing glides through the sky, it portrays the trajectory of our own lives as we experience moments of clear skies as well as thunderous turbulence. Yet, this airplane’s journey is finite. The destination, though veiled in ambiguity, looms ever closer.
What does await us in the future?
Title: Persistence
Ana Luz Silvestrin, Postgraduate Student
This image captures an old building standing resiliently between two modern skyscrapers in the heart of Sydney. The composition highlights the stark contrast between the historical architecture and the sleek, futuristic designs of the neighboring buildings. For me, this image represents the future, symbolizing persistence, and perseverance. The old building, despite its age and the rapid urban development surrounding it, remains steadfast and unbroken, demonstrating the ability to endure and stay relevant even in a constantly changing world.
It suggests that, while the modern world may influence us and push us toward transformation, there is strength in staying true to our roots and preserving what is valuable from the past, what defines us, without being corrupted by trends. The future, then, is also the power to hold on to the wisdom and resilience that history offers — to remain ourselves despite the rapidly changing fashions.
Title: The Future Tern
Metta Young, Higher Degree by Research
It was late on a spring morning that we took the boat from Pultung (Victor Harbor) out past Kaiki (Granite Island) and towards Pungari (Seal) Rock. From a distance the rock seemed to dance - white and black on ochre. Soaring above a sea eagle. We cut the engine and drifted close only to be enveloped in a cotillion of Crested Terns lifting and careening round and round, shrieking kip kip kee-ar to confound the eagle eyes line of sight to the rookery. This moment of communal action in the face of threat was enthralling and humbling and captured in this photo. Birds have long been considered omens for the future. The Romans used to ‘take the auspices’ based on the flight behaviour of birds to predict the future. Canaries were used in coal mines to warn of impending disaster. Our future and that of birds is interwoven. Surviving and thriving in the face of climate change, wars, and geopolitical turbulence depends on ensuring the future tern.
Title: No-Exit
Gursimrat Kaur, Undergraduate Student
The ‘future’ holds endless possibilities and uncertainties. For some, it holds technological breakthroughs, while others view it filled with environmental challenges. But, at one moment, every individual experiences a disorienting sensation because, what does lie ahead?
In the photograph, the vast expanse and depth of the ocean symbolizes the unknown that lies beyond human understanding. The “NO-EXIT” sign represents the feeling of ‘vertigo’ humans experience when we realize the ambiguity and unavoidability of the future. The train itself is a metaphor for the rapid technological development, while the scenery shows the importance of sustaining the natural environment. Overall, this photograph encapsulates the immensity of the future and the anxieties we experience.
Title: Between Past and Future
Kate Labrosciano, Undergraduate Student
In the heart of Venice, where gondolas have glided through the canals for centuries, this image captures a moment frozen in time. As these iconic boats drift through ancient waterways, they reflect not only Venice’s rich past but also the evolving future, where tradition and change must coexist.
Image taken on my film camera in 2023.
Title: On the Right Track
Andrea Richards, Undergraduate Student
We have been going to our family's favorite beach for the past 40 to 50 years, and this picture was taken at the top of a hill on our yearly New Year's camping trip. This picture represents me reflecting on the challenging roads, gloomy days, and difficult challenges I have faced this year while juggling work, my family, and UNI studies. I'm looking ahead to the ocean, the sun shining in the sky, a sunny day, and the celebration of the glorious new year, which gives me the determination and serenity to keep progressing forward and reaching my goals.
Title: Gazing into the Future
Alison Campbell, Undergraduate Student
The future to me represents a vast ocean of unknown, a beautiful blank canvas waiting for the artist to create!
The future holds dreams, challenges, sometimes disappointment but always hope. The future gives us all a chance to write new pages in this book called life.
Title: Conciliation of Architecture
Tracey Coleman, Academic Staff
This photo represents hundreds of years of architecture in Seville, Spain. The connection of the Roman pillar, the moor architecture of the Alcazar (Palace of the Royal Family) and the La Giralda Tower part of the original Mosque now part of the Seville Catholic Cathedral. All these elements reflect a future where diversity can work beautifully and co-exist together in harmony
Title: Turtle - Our Spiritual Guide.
Paula Clarke, Professional Staff
I recently read - "As a spirit animal, the turtle embodies wisdom, stability, and grounding. It encourages us to take life at our own pace, reminding us to trust our journey and embrace the flow of life's currents. The turtle spirit guides us through transitions, offering protection and guidance as we navigate the waters of existence."
I took this photo in the Japanese Gardens and when I read the above, realized that this is the exact spirit animal we need to guide us into the FUTURE of the new University.
Title: Laughter Beyond the Screen
Hasti Ghanbarzada, Undergraduate Student
This photo captures my son’s laughter while playing in the water, symbolizing the joy and freedom every living being—human and animal alike—deserves. As a mother raising a child with autism, I have witnessed how technology, like screens, increasingly shapes our children’s lives. While these tools provide opportunities, they risk disconnecting us from nature and each other. In a world where human interaction is replaced by devices, moments like this remind us of the importance of joy, spontaneity, and the human spirit.
The droplets of water represent the many forces—human rights, environmental protection, and animal welfare—that must unite to create a future where joy is a right, not a luxury. This photo envisions a future where humanity thrives beyond the screen, and both the planet and its inhabitants flourish.
Title: Light in the Night
Shuang Yang, Postgraduate Student
This photo was taken on the roof of my house. I was in a bad mood at home that day and wanted to come out. I saw this lighthouse. It seemed to remind me that no matter how hard and confused you are at this moment, the future will always guide you to the path that belongs to you. All we need to do is be firm and confident, and don't forget where we're going.
Title: Between Tradition and Tomorrow
Lauren Medlock, Undergraduate Student
This image symbolizes the interplay between tradition, individuality and change illustrating how behaviour modelling can bidirectionally shape our choices. The boy, watching the familiar ritual of his family, reflects the psychological concept of social learning; he learns not only through observation but also through the emotions tied to these experiences.
As the older generations navigate the water, the boy is at a crossroads, symbolizing the future. He is faced with the choice to follow the established path laid out before him or to forge his own unique journey. This moment encapsulates the tension between continuity and change, emphasizing that while we are influenced by those who came before us, we ultimately have the agency to define our own destinies. The sunset serves as a metaphor for both endings and new beginnings, inviting you to contemplate your own choices in the journey of life.
Title: Womb of the Earth
Kali Ivancevic, Undergraduate Student
During a short-term study exchange this July, I visited Atami, a coastal Japanese city, where I encountered a Buddhist temple adorned with small stone statues of children. These statues represent Jizo Bosatsu, the Buddhist guardian deity who protects the spirits of children who have passed away. While Jizo statues are common throughout Japan, discovering a temple specifically dedicated to this deity deeply moved me.
Reflecting on the theme of "future," I was reminded of the sombre tranquillity of these ancient symbols of love. This temple serves as a powerful reminder that our future depends on how we care for our children.
This experience underscored the importance of nurturing our children and students and honoring those lost to war and other tragedies. In an increasingly volatile world, preserving the earth and its people becomes meaningless unless we prioritise the well-being of the younger generation.
Title: Zen
Xinwei Yin, Postgraduate Student
This photo is taken at Hallett Cove Beach, where a serene stack of smooth stones evokes a sense of balance and harmony, embodying Zen principles. The tranquil ocean and vast, clear sky in the background further enhance the peaceful, meditative atmosphere of the scene.
Title: Reflections of Tomorrow
Sarah Woodland, Undergraduate Student
The image captures a moment of reflection and discovery. In the foreground, my daughter gazes into a shiny metallic surface, stirring feelings of contemplation and wonder about the future. This scene embodies our innate yearning to comprehend and imagine what is to come. The contemporary urban backdrop emphasizes advancement, technology, and creativity, while the polished metallic form suggests a modern design vision.
Title: Christmas Holiday to Melbourne: RMIT University
Jenny Zomantuang, Undergraduate Student
In the photo, people are seated at desk, engaging in study or research, reinforcing the idea of the library as hub of knowledge. It captures the interior of a grand library, characterized by its vast dome and multiple levels of shelving.
In the context of the theme "future," the library can be seen as a symbol of the foundation of the future. It represents the importance of learning, innovation, and the preservation of knowledge. The light flooding in from the dome could symbolize enlightenment and the future of education, which is increasingly collaborative, expansive, and accessible to all.
The photo is taken from an elevated position, providing a symmetrical view of the library design, entered around a circular arrangement of study tables.
Title: Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication
Haider Aleidami, Undergraduate Student
With the rise of futuristic cities and high-rise buildings. Nature's simplicity still leaves humanity in awe of its sophistication. The future cannot be created by disregarding our beautiful environment.
Title: Sunrise
Catherine Davis, Undergraduate Student
The photograph captures the magical moment of a sunrise on beautiful Currimundi Beach on the Sunshine Coast. The sky gradually brightens with shades of gold, orange, and soft blue as the first light of day peeks over the horizon. The beach is quiet and pristine, a place where the new day begins. This image embodies the theme of the future by representing new beginnings and the promise of what's to come. Just as the sunrise marks the start of a fresh day, it symbolizes hope, potential, and the endless opportunities that lie ahead. The soft, warm light spreading across the beach encourages a sense of renewal and inspires the viewer to look forward with a sense of optimism. This sunrise is a reminder that each day is a blank canvas, ready to be filled with possibilities, growth, and the pursuit of dreams.
Title: Boundless Horizon
Ashlee Beecroft, Postgraduate Student
This image captures a tranquil moment at the edge of land and sea, where three figures stand silhouetted against the fading light of dusk. The vastness of the ocean and the soft hues of the sky evoke a sense of quiet reflection and anticipation. As they gaze toward the horizon, their backs turned to the viewer, the figures embody a shared experience of uncertainty and potential—of stepping into the unknown. The worn landscape beneath their feet, marked by sparse vegetation, mirrors the rawness of the human condition as we face the future. The soft gradient of the sky, transitioning from warm to cool tones, suggests both the closing of one chapter and the emergence of another. In this moment, time feels suspended, and the future, while distant, is sensed in the gentle ebb of the tides and the boundless expanse ahead. This image invites contemplation on the themes of possibility, connection, and the quiet, often unnoticed moments that shape the journey into tomorrow.
Title: The Painted Queen
Alisha Peacock-Drummond, Undergraduate Student
On a crisp autumn day at the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens, the changing seasons were on full display, with vibrant colours painting the landscape. This photograph, taken with a Canon 650D, features a captivating scene where the subject, resembling a queen, is set against the backdrop of this seasonal transformation. The aim was to evoke the feeling of a painting while maintaining minimal editing to preserve the natural beauty of the site. The use of silhouette and a touch of mystery enhances the image, aligning with this year’s theme by emphasizing the interplay between natural beauty and artistic interpretation. The composition captures both the grandeur of the gardens and the ethereal quality of the scene, creating a visually striking representation of the seasonal shift.
Title: Embracing Tomorrow
Yuting Cai, Postgraduate Student
The image captures a serene moment of a mother holding her child as they watch the sun set over the ocean. The warm, golden hues of the sunset symbolize the passage of time, transitioning from day to night, much like the journey from the present to the future. The mother and child, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, represent the nurturing bond between generations, a key to the promise of tomorrow.
The composition places the figures slightly off-center, allowing the expansive ocean and vast sky to frame them. This choice highlights the sense of endless possibilities and the unknown future that lies ahead. The child’s gaze toward the horizon is a reminder of innocence and curiosity, embodying the hope that future generations hold.
By positioning the figures against the backdrop of a setting sun, the image connects with the theme of “future,” suggesting that while one day ends, another is just beginning. It speaks to continuity, growth, and the hopeful legacy passed from one generation to the next, even amidst the uncertainties life brings.
Title: A Neoliberal Future
Cecile Dutreix, Professional Staff
The accumulation of wealth and power for the few has become the ‘raison d’etre’ of globalization. The majority of people who do not benefit from the neoliberal agenda are wilfully, or by design, ignorant to the agenda and the inevitable consequences, and continue to be side-tracked by ‘culture wars’ and the state of ‘the economy’. This majority remains unaware that they are part of the labour force that maintains the wealth of others. They tend to not be members of a union and do not unite to improve outcomes for their lives, the lives of others, and the environment. One of the many consequences of neoliberalism is climate change. Whether through flood or drought, fire or cyclone, Country is dying. Indigenous flora and fauna is becoming extinct, and arable land is drowning under a sea of Lego houses.
Without a radical shift in policy and global awareness, Country will irrevocably change. A change that may also, ultimately, lead to the decimation of the human species. If humanity is too arrogant and ignorant to protect Country, above wealth, then the eradication of our species may be for the highest good. Our future rests with the power of the people united, if only they would unite…
Title: The Canvas of Tomorrow
Sanjana Chauhan, Postgraduate Student
The future, for me, is embodied in the innocence, joy, and boundless potential of children. This photograph captures a mural of a child playing freely, suspended in a moment of unbridled happiness, alongside the soft, expansive hues of the evening sky. The mural’s vibrancy contrasts beautifully with the delicate pink clouds, symbolizing the dreams and aspirations we hold for the next generation.
Children are the architects of tomorrow, and it is our responsibility to ensure they grow up in an environment that nurtures their safety, creativity, and opportunities. Just as the sky offers an infinite expanse to dream and explore, we must provide a secure and supportive foundation that allows our children to thrive and soar.
Through this image, I reflect on the profound connection between the present and the future, reminding us that the actions we take today will shape the world our children inherit tomorrow. Let us build a world where their possibilities are as vast and beautiful as the sky itself.
Title: In Harmony
Sharine Guerra Madoo, Undergraduate Student
In harmony is an image about a harmonious relationship between people and nature. A relationship where the two come together to create a beautiful and sustainable future.
This is a composite image. I was inspired by joiner technique of living artist David Hockney and his exploration of perspective, time, and space.
Title: The Journey
Sharine Guerra Madoo, Undergraduate Student
The future is an unknown journey filled with many challenges and surprises. Just like the sea, sometimes it is calm and other times stormy, but in its depth, there is always a treasure. We cannot control it, but we can determine our direction and how we sail, with strength and resilience, like the beauty of the palm tree.
Digital photography. Inspired by David Hockney's use of perspective.
Title: Rising to Great Heights as We Move into Our Future University
Kerry Maxfield, Academic Staff
'Rising to great heights as we move into our future university'
This photograph of a plane flying out of Adelaide Airport and picking up altitude with the moon in the background represents the future university drive towards becoming the best. It shows us we can achieve great things when we keep moving forward with our vision of a world class university. Keeping our eyes steady on the future as we progress in building this great university and knowing that we can reach for the moon.