About the artwork

What is coming to pass on this enormous continent as the Earth changes? What does the future hold for communities facing the impact of the climate crisis?

Big Sky is a photographic survey of this nation's heartland. In this ambitious project, Adam Ferguson takes in the fading yet iconic events of rural life, shrinking small-towns, Aboriginal connection to Country, pastoralism, the impacts of globalisation and the adversity of climate change. In doing so, he asks whether the Australian identity of yore still rings true, particularly when seen in the context of the complex realities of contemporary life in the outback.

Big Sky was on display at the Federation Square screens as part of PHOTO 2024.

About the artist

Adam Ferguson is currently a Master of Fine Arts research candidate at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology School of Art. Adam began his career as a photojournalist covering the U.S led war in Afghanistan and has worked internationally exploring narratives around conflict, displacement and the implications of the industrial military complex. His current body of work attempts to challenge and position archetypal tropes of Australian identity with the complex realities of contemporary life in Australia's remote interior.

Curated by PHOTO Australia for PHOTO 2024 International Festival of Photography.