TITLE: Reflection on our civilisation I

This is one of my recent works, the first from the ‘Reflection on our civilisation’ series. The idea for exploring this subject was born long time ago and it is reflected in different ways in some of my earlier works. The composition is simple, with reduced number of elements and tones. The key object used in this composition; the Christ the Thoughtful wooden carving is an ‘rejected item’ that was thrown away from someone’s home. He has found place in my home and has waited a long time to finally become a part of this work. Rotten, dry fruits and dry plants are ‘useless items’ collected with the aim to use in my works. All these items provide a symbolic context for this work that opens the question: Quo vadis humanitas?

AUTHOR: Jan Adam Leś (Australia)

My photographic work extends over 40 years, beginning with my university studies in Kraków, Poland, where I explored the beauty of black and white photography and conducted experimental art works together with my latest brother Zbigniew with whom I formed the Micro-Macro art group exploring connections between art and science. My first solo exhibition including B&W micro-macro series was held in Kraków in 1986.
Since settling in Australia in 1992, I exhibited my works in Melbourne where I lived until 2002, and in Adelaide where I reside currently.
I'm a member of the Royal South Australian Society of Art (RSASA) and regularly participate in the RSASA members exhibitions.

Recent Solo Exhibitions
1. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, Series IV, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 12 December 2025 – 14 January 2026
2. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, Series III, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 8 December 2023 – 31 January 2024
3. Synthesis, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 10 December 2023 – 31 January 2024
4. Returning tunes from my motherland, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 5 January 2022 – 31 January 2022
5. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape II, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 5 December 2021 – 31 January 2022
6. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 3 December 2000 – 31 January 2021
7. Sacred Garden, Glen Osmond Monastery, April 2017. The exhibition was presented with classical music concert prepared for the exhibition by the Adelaide Concert Collective.

Recent Awards
- Nominations (2 works), Fine Art Photography Awards 2026
- Honorable Mentions (4 works), Annual Photography Awards 2025
- Honorable Mentions (3 works), Monochrome Photography Awards 2025
- Highly Commanded / Commanded, The Mono Awards 2025
- Finalist (2 works), Kennedy Art Prize – Noland Photography Awards 2025
- Nomination (5 works), MonoVisions Black & White Photography Awards 2025
- Finalist (2 works), RSASA Abstract Prize Biennale 2025
- Nominations (2 works), Fine Art Photography Awards 2025
- Finalist (4 works), Merit Award, 16th Solar Art Prize 2025
- Honorable Mention, Annual Photography Awards 2024
- Honorable Mention (3 works), Monochrome Photography Awards 2024
- Shortlisted Australian Photography Awards 2024
- 5 Commended Awards, The Mono Awards 2024
- Winner, Category 7 section, Solar Art Prize 2024
- Honorable Mention, MonoVisions Black & White Photography Awards 2024
- Honorable Mention, Annual Photography Awards 2023
- Honorable Mention, Monochrome Photography Awards 2023
- Commended Award, Mono Awards 2023
- Finalist (3 works), Nyland Prize for Photography
- Finalist, Abstract Prize Biennale 2023
- Merit Award, Solar Art Prize 2023