The Garden of Maggie Victoria

Share on social media

Photographer

Rachel Nixon
Prize

3rd Place / Fine Art/Collage
University/School

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts
Date of Photograph

2022-2023
Technical Info

Multiple - this is a series of collages.
Socials
Website

https://www.rachelnixon.com/

This series explores the evolution of memory and female representation through the story of my great-grandmother, forgotten within my family after her premature death in 1943. It integrates photos by my great-grandfather, archival letters and my own contemporary, nature-oriented images to create digital collages reviving my ancestor’s legacy. Maggie Victoria’s life as a mother, wife, and nurturer of people and plants was both ordinary, and extraordinary. Anchored in a personal meditation, the series invites us to consider questions of heritage, grief and passing time that affect everyone.

Biography

Rachel Nixon is a British-Canadian fine art photographer – and former journalist – living and working in Vancouver. With an international background, she explores issues such as a desire for connection with one’s heritage, and with the wider world. She also considers themes including secrecy, isolation and memory. Rachel is also the editor of WE ARE Magazine, from the Royal Photographic Society’s Women in Photography group. Previously, she had a 20-year career as a journalist and news executive for firms including the BBC, CBC and Microsoft where she developed and ran digital news services.
Awards

Sony Alpha Female Award 2025: Finalist. Julia Margaret Cameron Awards: Four-time category winner in 22nd, 20th, 16th and 14th editions. Dodho Magazine 2024/25: Twice named among 100 top fine art photographers. Additional selected exhibitions & awards: *2025* Lenscratch Art + History Competition: Honourable Mention. *2024* Head On Photo Festival, Sydney, Australia: Featured solo exhibitor. International Photography Awards: Honourable Mention, Nature; two Official Selections (non-pro). AAP Magazine #38: Third place winner in the Women edition. Lucie Foundation: Heritage Open Call finalist. Royal Photographic Society: To Shine A Light/Who Dared To Dream small group exhibition. Exposure Photography Festival, Calgary, Canada: International Open Call exhibition and invited speaker. *2023* IPA: Third place, Fine Art/Collage; Honourable Mention, Fine Art/Other (non-pro). Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, OR, USA: Pacific Northwest Drawers showcase. Shutter Hub: Alamy Yearbook 2023 award winner. Photolucida: Critical Mass finalist. Px3: Silver Award, Fine Art/Collage. *2022* The Curated Fridge: Summer 2022 Show. CollexArt: Intimate Landscape exhibition, Juror’s Highlight. Px3: Honourable Mention: Special/Street Photography. Urban Photo Awards: Semi-finalist, Spaces. *2021* Barcelona Foto Biennale, FotoNostrum Gallery, Spain. Exposure Photography Festival: International Open Call exhibition, Canada. Minimalist Photography Awards: Honourable Mention, Fine Art. 7th Fine Art Photography Awards: Nominee, Open Theme (amateur). *2020* Chromatic Awards: Honourable mention, Fine Art (amateur). IPA: Two honourable mentions, Fine Art: Still Life, and Nature: Landscape (non-pro). Minimalist Photography Awards: Honourable Mention, Fine Art. 6th Fine Art Photography Awards: Nominee, Nature and Open (amateur). *2019* IPA: One Shot Street Photography, three honourable mentions.