TITLE: Gladiators

Originally called "Murderball", Quad Rugby is a game as rough as its original designation. These wheelchair gladiators have only one thought, and that is to score, regardless of who is in the way. This photo was taken during the final of the US Quad Rugby Association tournament in 2012.

AUTHOR: Heather C Markham (United States)

Artist Statement:
I’ve loved being behind a camera lens since I had a Kodak Pocket Instamatic (remember those)?!

I’ve always believed photography is important and a little bit of alchemy. Ten minutes in a photographic darkroom with film, paper, chemicals, and the perfect amount of light at just the right time will convince you of the last. Take a house of blank walls, add photographs, and the energy there changes as if by magic. It courses through every room.

Photography has also transformed the energy of my own life. Each shot is precious to me. Getting the perfect vantage point, finding the balance of light and shadow, and capturing the often-overlooked. Every detail matters as I tell stories through this art form.

This I know for sure: what we do just for the love brings the greatest joy to life.  Live well, my friends!

Biography:
Heather C Markham is a photographer who focuses on whatever interests her and often that means pops up in her viewfinder that day. She grew up in a nomadic military family and frequent moves gave her an eye for spotting opportunities in new situations, honed her keen attention to detail, and developed a hunger for exploration. She is an engineer, assistive technology professional, educator, ADA architectural barriers specialist, former Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, golfer, author, competitive parasurfer, public speaker, and, now, international award-winning photographer.

Heather returned to the Phoenix, Arizona area in 2020 after a 35-year absence to be out of the snow and ice and be near her family. Brushing aside the label “disabled photographer” she says that her power wheelchair impacts literally how she moves through and views the world, as well a steady surface from which to capture it as she shoots from her lap. She shares her home with her cat who can often be found sitting on her desk watching the computer’s pointer as it darts across the screen or lounging across Heather’s arms while she writes and edits photos.