About NZ Photographer Jonathan Bourla, Fine Art Black White

Artist Statement

My name is Jonathan Bourla and I'm a fine art black & white photographer living in New Zealand. My photographic practice is guided by a sustained curiosity about the visual world and a commitment to looking slowly. Rather than being driven by subject matter, my work is shaped by the quiet interplay of light, texture, pattern, and tone, and by a desire to preserve a sense of wonder in the act of seeing. For me, the photograph is not completed at the moment of exposure. Instead, it emerges through a prolonged interpretive process in which tonal relationships are carefully built over time. This stage, which I regard as a form of artistic performance, allows the image to evolve gradually, often over many hours or days, towards the emotional and visual balance I originally envisioned. Although my practice has transitioned from large format film and darkroom to digital capture, I’ve retained a disciplined, methodical approach rooted in patience and intentionality. More recently, influences from drawing have encouraged me to soften edges and allow areas of ambiguity, inviting the viewer into a quieter, more contemplative experience with the image.

Gallery Representation

Art By The Sea, Takapuna

Helena Bay Gallery, Northland

Artistic Timeline

1994 Start of Fine Art Photography journey

1997 Submission of portfolio to Auckland Society Of Artists, and granted membership

June 1997 Attends eye-opening Howard Bond workshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

2006 Switch from darkroom to computer-based “Interpretation"

June 2007 Solo Exhibition of work, "Quiet Light", 2 - 18 June 2007, Art By the Sea Gallery, Devonport

August 2007 Solo Exhibition, "Quiet Light", 14th August - 2nd September 2007, Lake House, Takapuna

Sept 2007 Gallery representation at Art by the Sea Gallery, Devonport

March 2008 Joint Exhibition, "Devonport Exposed", 15th March - 3rd April 2008, Art by the Sea Gallery, Devonport

May 2008 Representation Art Desire Gallery, Warkworth

June 2012 Group Exhibition, "By Land or By Sea", 7th June - 3rd July 2012, Artrium Gallery, Thorndon, Wellington

May 2013 Publication, Dphoto.co.nz, "Under The Influence of Ansel”

May 2013 Grant, Creative Communities Scheme (Auckland Council), for "A Glimpse”

June 2013 Solo Exhibition, "A Glimpse", 1st - 23rd June 2013, Farmgate Gallery, Clevedon

Sept 2014 Publication, Lens Culture

Sept 2014 Publication, NZPhotographer.co.nz, featured photographer

Dec 2014 Publication, Art Of Creative Photography, "Sharply Rendered”

May 2015 Group Exhibition, NorthArt Members' Exhibition, Northcote, Auckland North Shore, 8th - 24th May 2015

May 2015 Exhibition, Auckland Women's Centre Charity Art Auction, 15th-16th May 2015

Oct 2015 Publication, Your Daily Photograph, White Roses.

May 2016 Publication, Adore Noir Magazine

June 2016 Publication, Monovisions feature Hydro Electric

Sep 2016 Photoforum New Zealand, elected as Committee Member

Oct 2016 Exhibition, Artplus Gallery, Heritage Hotel, Auckland

Oct 2016 Market Stall at the Mission Bay Art & Craft Market

Sep 2018 Exhibition Cherry Blossom Art Salon, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

Mar 2019 Publication, Edge Of Humanity magazine, Hydro Electric series

July 2021 Monovisions Awards, Honourable Mention for “Fruit ’n’ Veg” series

Jan 2022 mARTakana Art Show, Matakana, fundraiser for Harbour Hospice

Jan 2023 mARTakana Art Show, Matakana, fundraiser for Harbour Hospice

May 2023 Publication Aotearoa Artist Magazine, full feature “Creative Force”, May/June

June 2023 Membership of Mahurangi Artist Network

June 2023 Group Juried Exhibition PhotoPlace Gallery Vermont USA

July 2023 Publication Monovisions USA “Martins Bay”

Aug 2023 reFocus International Awards, Nomination for Martins Bay series

Jan 2024 Tokyo International Photography Awards 2023, Honourable Mention for Structural Chaos series

Feb 2024 Mahurangi Artist Network Annual Art Show Warkworth Town Hall, 2 to 11 Feb 2024

Mar 2024 Publication Shadow & Light Magazine (USA) March/April 2024 #58 Showcase Portfolio Highwic House

June 2024 Start as tutor at Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa

Aug 2024 Paris International Photography Awards Honourable Mention for two series ("The Attic" and "Disquiet")

Nov 2024 Group show Studio 22, Snells Beach

Dec 2024 First Prize Established category The Great Summer Art Exhibition, held annually in Snells Beach featuring artists from around Auckland

March 2025 Finalist in Cleveland National Art Award, held at Otago Art Society, Dunedin

April 2025 Finalist Hibiscus & Bays Art Awards, held at Estuary Art Centre, Orewa

June 2025 The Auckland Art Show, Auckland Viaduct Event Centre (27th-29th June)

September 2025 Nominated in 1839 International Photography Awards for Eroded Girder

December 2025 Publication Lenswork Magazine (issue 174) Six Image Suite of Highwic House