Mark Mortensen, Do we care (DOCUMENTARY & STREET 2025)

This photograph was taken during a pro-Palestinian rally in Canberra. I want to be clear about my position—I am strongly opposed to the war and mourn the senseless loss of innocent lives caught in its grip. What struck me in this moment, and what this image captures so poignantly, is the contrast in engagement within our society. In the background, a large crowd marches in solidarity, holding signs, chanting, and calling for justice. In the foreground, a man sits alone at a table, absorbed in his meal, seemingly detached from the demonstration happening just metres away. It’s a powerful visual metaphor for the dual realities that exist in Australia. While many are deeply moved and take action in response to global injustices, others remain untouched—perhaps shielded by the privilege of distance, stability, and comfort. We live in a country that is, by most measures, prosperous and peaceful. We’re not ravaged by war, not flattened by earthquakes, and while we face challenges like bushfires, we are largely spared the chaos that defines life in so many other places. But with comfort comes a risk—complacency. This photo made me reflect: Do we all truly care? Are we engaged citizens of a global community, or have we become desensitised by the ease of our own lives? As we move forward, we must ask ourselves what kind of society we want to be—one that turns away, or one that leans in

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.