TITLE: Golgotha

This is one of my recent works from the ‘Reflection on our civilisation’ series. The composition is simple, with reduced number of elements and tones. The key object used in this composition; the Madonna and child wooden carving has found shelter in my home long time ago and patiently waited to finally become part of this work, to shelter under Golgotha hill. Three rusty nails represent nails of crucified Jesus Christ.
This work is an allegory for enormous mother’s pain witnessing drama of her child, drama experienced so frequently in our world.

AUTHOR: Jan Adam Leś (Australia)

My photographic practice has developed over more than 40 years, beginning during my university studies in Kraków, Poland, where I became interested in the expressive possibilities of black-and-white photography. During that period, I collaborated with my late brother, Zbigniew, on experimental artworks. Together, we founded the Micro-Macro art group to explore connections between art and science. My first solo exhibition, featuring the black-and-white Micro-Macro series, was held in Kraków in 1986.
For me, photography is a way to express an artistic vision rather than simply record reality. As I often say, my photographs are “made”, not taken. This view brings photography close to painting, highlighting the creative process and the deliberate construction of an image.
Some of my recent works explore relationships between visual imagery, music and poetry. Others are more allegorical, engaging with fundamental questions of the human condition and core values of Western civilisation.

Since moving to Australia in 1992, I have exhibited in Melbourne, where I lived until 2002, and in Adelaide, where I now reside.

I am a member of the Royal South Australian Society of Arts (RSASA) and regularly participate in its members’ exhibitions.

Recent Solo Exhibitions
1. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, Series IV, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 12 December 2025 – 14 January 2026
2. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, Series III, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 8 December 2023 – 31 January 2024
3. Synthesis, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 10 December 2023 – 31 January 2024
4. Returning tunes from my motherland, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 5 January 2022 – 31 January 2022
5. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape II, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 5 December 2021 – 31 January 2022
6. Preludes… and other short pieces on South Australian Landscape, National Wine Centre, Adelaide, 3 December 2000 – 31 January 2021
7. Sacred Garden, Glen Osmond Monastery, April 2017. The exhibition was presented with classical music concert prepared for the exhibition by the Adelaide Concert Collective.

Recent Awards
- Honorable Mention (6 works), MonoVisions Photography Awards 2026
- Nominations (2 works), Fine Art Photography Awards 2026
- Honorable Mentions (4 works), Annual Photography Awards 2025
- Honorable Mentions (3 works), Monochrome Photography Awards 2025
- Highly Commanded, The Mono Awards 2025
- Finalist (2 works), Kennedy Art Prize – Noland Photography Awards 2025 and 2023 (3works)
- Honorable Mention (5 works), MonoVisions Photography Awards 2025
- Finalist (2 works), RSASA Abstract Prize Biennale 2025
- Nominations (2 works), Fine Art Photography Awards 2025
- Finalist (4 works), Merit Award, 16th Solar Art Prize 2025
- Honorable Mention, Annual Photography Awards 2024
- Honorable Mention (3 works), Monochrome Photography Awards 2024
- Shortlisted Australian Photography Awards 2024
- 5 Commended Awards, The Mono Awards 2024
- Winner, Category 7 section, Solar Art Prize 2024
- Honorable Mention, MonoVisions Photography Awards 2024
- Honorable Mention, Annual Photography Awards 2023
- Honorable Mention, Monochrome Photography Awards 2023
- Finalist, Abstract Prize Biennale 2023