ENTRY DESCRIPTION
The female gorilla is part of an ongoing exhibition of black-and-white images. ICU TOO was founded in 2015 and continues in 2022. My journey started after photographing primates in Africa, Rwanda and Borneo. I've often gone alone to study the primates, as I don't know another woman who'd enjoy standing still in one place for so long. I always like to see animals living in their natural environment, though this is only sometimes possible. I'll visit animals in human-made simulated wild habitats, rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries. After capturing an image, I create unique and distinctive black-and-white portraits intentionally devoid of background. The face becomes a story that the viewer can read. I rely on human thoughts, enticing the subconscious to linger in the eyes. The dark images often take on human-like features, creating a parallel of emotions that humans share with the primate. I aim to invite an audience to research an endangered species status on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

AUTHOR
Jennifere Thompson. I am a professional photographer living in Woodford, in the mountains between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. I specialise in portraits of wild animals and often focus on primates. This choice has led me to travel around the world for six years. I've often gone alone to study the primate for many hours. I don't know anyone else that could stand so still. I always like to see animals living in their natural environment, though I can't always do this. Instead, I'll visit animals in human-made simulated wild habitats, rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries. After capturing an image, I create unique and distinctive black-and-white portraits, often devoid of background, as the face does not require a story beyond what the viewer sees. Instead, I rely on human subconscious thoughts to draw them closer, and look into the primate's eyes. The dark images often take on human-like features, creating a parallel of emotions that humans share with the primate. I aim to invite an audience to research an endangered species status on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

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