Photography. Capturing life as it is, yet asking the viewer to see themselves — and the world — differently.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
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Photography — it's always been the beginning of everything. The camera is how I make sense of the world: capturing life as it is, while asking the viewer to see themselves differently. I've lived through enough to know that the most powerful images are the ones that sit quietly and then slowly change you. Every photograph I take is an act of presence. A reminder that this moment — right now — is worth seeing.
Where do you find inspiration?In 2019 I qualified for the Gran Fondo World Championships, riding Stanley Park to Whistler in under four hours. I was in the best shape of my life. Then I was diagnosed with ALS. The challenges I face daily are enormous — but clarified by focus. I've always fought through hard things. What's different now is urgency. I'm using the time I have to bring awareness to a disease with no cure. Every image I share is an act of advocacy — an invitation to connect and build resilience.
What would you do with $25,000?Part of the prize would buy a camera, a Leica M6 — the film version, with the three-lens kit. I've wanted one my whole career and could never justify it. Shooting on film demands intention: every frame matters, nothing is wasted. That's exactly how I want to spend the time I have left. I'll probably need someone to help load it and carry it. But I will wear that camera out before my time comes. The rest of the money will be donated to ALS BC to fund research to find a cure.
Vote for Peter Cross to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Limited-time: 2X votes ends on Sun 6/21 at 9PM PDT
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