International recognition for Kiwi photographer’s ‘Idyia’

Idyia by Cathy Carter

New Zealand photographer and installation artist Cathy Carter has been named a finalist in the Head On 2015 International Portrait Competition and currently has one of her works exhibited at the Museum of Sydney in Australia as part of the Head On Photo Festival, which is running until May 31.

The festival focuses on sharing international cutting-edge photography across Sydney, representing a wide range of genres. As part of the festival, the Head On Portrait Prize, which is in its 12th year, hunts out the vibrant and diverse photographs and displays the 40 finalists, and the three winners, in an exhibition also held at the Museum of Sydney until June 8.

Carter’s image, ‘Idyia’ was inspired by the Greek Oceanids — mythological goddesses who were responsible for protecting the body of water they inhabited. Idyia looks back at the viewer in a way that appears to challenge them to defy her existence.

“With the ecological crisis facing the world’s oceans and waterways, I was interested through the constructed nature of photography to imagine a contemporary representation of these mythical ecologists,” Carter says.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2010, a postgraduate diploma in 2011, and a Master of Art and Design (Hons) in 2013, Carter was represented by Antoinette Godkin Gallery and has exhibited her work in successful solo and group shows in Auckland, Wellington, and Sydney.