When Aaron Gray took up photography as a way to combat his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a tour of Iraq, he never dreamed he would end up a finalists in an arts' award.
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But that's what has happened.
Aaron is one of 17 artists to have his work highly commended in the 2020 Napier Waller Art Prize for veterans through the Australian War Memorial.
In fact, he is one of three locals who have been shortlisted to the coveted $10,000 award and the $5000 People's Choice award.
He is joined by well-known veterans' campaigner Rick Meehan whose painting Diggers Lament and Callala Beach oil painter Robert Cooper, whose work Sore fingers - cold hands, have also been highly commended from more than 141 entries in this year's awards.
All three works are currently on the war memorials website (https://www.awm.gov.au/Napier-Waller-Art-Prize-hub/2020-Napier-Waller-Art-Prize/) and will be displayed in the war memorial as part of the awards from September 24 to November 22.
I just loved the look of him - he was an older bird - you could tell, he was a bit battered, he'd obviously been through a few things - the pose captured reminds me of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
- Photographer Aaron Gray
Aaron's work is a stunning photograph of a yellow-tailed black cockatoo taken at Shoalhaven Heads and entitled Australian phoenix rising.
"I was down at what they call the 'birds' airport' at the Heads - I'd been searching for the yellow-tailed black cockatoos as I just wanted to photograph them," he said
"I was in the car park and had just about given up when I heard their distinctive call.
"I spotted a group and just managed to get my camera up in time to capture this guy as he came in to land in a tree.
"It was overcast, the light was perfect and he looked directly at me and my camera.
"I just loved the look of him - he was an older bird - you could tell, he was a bit battered, he'd obviously been through a few things - the pose captured reminds me of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
"After what the area experienced late last year and early this year it resonated with me.
"It especially speaks to me because I have long suffered from injuries and illnesses, including PTSD from my military service.
"Photography is helping me recover and continue on. This uniquely Australian bird in this pose represents me rising from the ashes and living again.
Read more: Vietnam Veterans pay homage to lost mates
"We all have our demons and obstacles to overcome and that gives us all the opportunity to be like this cockatoo and rise from our ashes to a new lease on life."
His 60 centimetre by 60 centimetre photo has been printed onto aluminium, which Aaron says really makes the photo shine and 'shows its resilience".
After what the area experienced late last year and early this year it resonated with me. It especially speaks to me because I have long suffered from injuries and illnesses, including PTSD from my military service.
- Photographer Aaron Gray
Aaron spent eight years in the army, including a tour of Iraq in 2006-07 in the Second Cavalry Regiment as part of Overwatch Battlegroup West 2.
"Nowadays I'm retired because of illnesses and injuries from when I was in the services," he said.
"I keep busy by taking photos, it helps my PTSD, it's therapeutic and it seems I'm quite good at it.
"We moved here eight years ago and have fallen in love with the area.
"It's just a wonderful place and so many great places to explore."
While bird photography has sparked his interest and is his focus at the moment, Aaron is also keen on landscape and astro photography.
He also volunteers with the Rural Fire Service where he can to "keep busy".
He said having his work shortlisted and be on display on both the war memorial's website and as part of the annual competition exhibition was huge.
Photography is helping me recover and continue on. This uniquely Australian bird in this pose represents me rising from the ashes and living again. We all have our demons and obstacles to overcome and that gives us all the opportunity to be like this cockatoo and rise from our ashes to a new lease on life.
- Photographer Aaron Gray
"It's just a huge honour," he said.
"And how good is it for the local Shoalhaven area to have three of the 17 shortlisted works?
"That's amazing. I'd love to see one of the locals win it."
You can check out Aaron's work and all the other shortlisted entries or vote for the local finalists at the Australian War Memorial website link /www.awm.gov.au/Napier-Waller-Art-Prize-hub/2020-Napier-Waller-Art-Prize/
Seven judges have selected the 17 shortlisted works and will pick the overall winner - voting in the people's choice closes November 22, with the winner announced on November 27.
The online exhibition of shortlisted artworks will be on the AWM website from August 17 to November 22.
Napier Waller Art Prize 2020 exhibition of highly commended artworks will be on display at the Australian War Memorial from September 24 to November 22.
The overall winner of the Napier Waller Art Prize 2020 will be announced on September 24.