Simon Harsent, Heidi (PEOPLE & PORTRAIT 2025)

I From my ongoing series Immigrant. Immigration is often politicised, too frequently reduced to divisive or racist rhetoric. This work responds by moving beyond stereotypes and political narratives, offering a space where each subject is seen simply as a person, on equal terms with one another. People have arrived here for many reasons: to seek opportunity, to build new lives, and to find refuge from conflict. Their contributions have helped shape a vibrant, multicultural society. At its heart, this project is about equality. Regardless of wealth, status, or perceived success, what unites us is the shared experience of being immigrants and shaping Australia’s future together. Each portrait is made under the same conditions, same set-up, same lighting, same background, same camera and lens, all in black and white. This deliberate consistency strips away external markers of profession, wealth, or social standing, leaving only the individual before us. My hope is that the viewer encounters each person first as a human being, not as a symbol of success or struggle.

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