Ms Kellie M MARTIN, In The Presence of the Tree-Keepers (PEOPLE 2026)

*Captured en route from Uluru to Alice Springs, this black-and-white portrait reflects a moment of quiet awe, cultural connection, and contemplation of heritage. The markings upon the subject’s face were created using clay gathered fresh from the land, mixed with water and applied in reverence to place, memory, and cultural continuity. As the landscape unfolds beyond the window, the image evokes the beauty, vastness, and spirit of Country, reflecting an enduring relationship between identity, ancestry, and land. The subject’s heritage traces to a people known as the keepers of the trees, while within the landscape, subtle face-like forms may emerge to the attentive eye — suggestive of presence, memory, and continuity. The portrait seeks to convey a quiet dialogue between self and Country, where landscape, lineage, and belonging are experienced as deeply interconnected.*

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.