The Awards Collective was created to feature the works of artist who have received either a Juror’s Award or Director’s Award in ASG’s Online exhibitions.  Thomas Burke’s image Shinagawa Aquarium received the Juror’s Award in the water exhibition juried by Catherine Couturier.  Thomas’ exhibition Days Between Stations is discussed in this GalleryTalk.

Artist Statement

“I didn’t start this series with any plan or concept, just started seeing some common themes in the photos and kept going with it – images with formal compositions but a messy process, avoiding elements that give away location, trying to remove context around images, using rain/snow to eliminate backgrounds and simplify visuals.

I took the name from a book by Steve Erickson. I really liked the atmosphere he created of a world that is gradually slowing down – sand blows in from the desert and blocks the highways out of LA – the world that had been so closely tied together begins to move apart.”

Thomas Burke
November, 2025

Bio

Thomas Burke is a retired office worker and 20+ year resident of Japan. Tom has been interested in photography for as long as he can remember. He took many classes at School of Visual Arts in New York City back in the 90’s in black and white photography and darkroom. He also attended workshops at Maine Media, as well as workshops with Keith Carter and Todd Hido. Tom currently splits his time between Tokyo and the countryside where he and his wife manage a small organic farm.

instagram:  @shatneresque

link to online exhibition