David Yarrow "Pride Rock" Exhibition & Book Signing
David Yarrows latest book Pride Rock and exhibition currently showing at the Maddox Gallery’s in Mayfair & Notting Hill is one you’ll not want to miss.
I was recently at a book signing in the aforementioned Maddox Westbourne Grove Gallery where David gave a short talk about his latest work and travels.
As you would expect he spoke of his commitment to animal conservation, his work with Tusk Trust, Wild Ark and many other worthy charity’s and organisations.
If you get the chance to go to attend one of his talks he really does have a way with words, he’s informative, emotive and engaging on a subject that so often is cloaked in the horror that humans are capable of.
I’ve loved his work for a number of years and his commitment to animal preservation is truly inspiring and encouraging.
Below is a press release from Maddox Gallery which details the exhibition.
Maddox Gallery is pleased to present ‘Pride Rock,’ a major exhibition of David Yarrow’s latest photographic works.
For more than two decades, legendary British photographer David Yarrow has been putting himself in harm’s way to capture immersive photography of the world’s most revered and endangered species. Now, carefully curated for the first time, ‘Pride Rock’ will offer a compelling retrospective of Yarrow’s spectacular work in the wild, as well as his elaborate storytelling portraiture.
Featuring over 40 of Yarrow’s most iconic photographs, ‘Pride Rock’ highlights the beauty of the endangered planet and the art of narrative as conveyed by one of the most relevant fine art photographers in the world. Yarrow says: “The balance now suits my personality and has no doubt helped my creativity. Both genres can play off each other and spark ideas.”
Coinciding with the release of his second book – a compendium of some of his greatest works published by Rizzoli – the exhibition will take place at both Maddox Gallery Mayfair and Maddox Gallery Westbourne Grove; offering unprecedented access into Yarrow’s stunning archive.
“There are no universal rules in photography—only personal ones. My central premise is that if photography was a language, then focus would be the most important word in that lexicon. Focus deliberately includes or it deliberately excludes, and it should be emphatically clear what the photographer is trying to say.”
With his images heightening awareness of these species and raising huge sums for charity and conservation, ‘Pride Rock’ celebrates one of the most relevant and evocative photographers in the world today.
National Geographic The Photo Ark
Photo Ark pop up Vilamoura Portugal
I recently had the opportunity to visit National Geographic’s Photo Ark exhibition whilst in Vilamoura Portugal, although the exhibition is touring extensively and showing in many museums and pop ups worldwide.
The Vilamoura exhibition hosts over 50 pieces of works by Joel Sartore and runs until September 30th, entrance fee €10. I may add it’s worth watching the accompanying video which gives a light hearted look behind the screens showing how Joel mostly uses a light box with either white or black background to great success (most of the time) to ultimately represent the 12,000 species of endangered animals featured, highlighting their plight due to habitat loss.
Below is a statement from Joel Sartore on his ambitious project, I wish him the best of luck.
National Geographic Photographer and Speaker Joel Sartore
About the Photo Ark
The Photo Ark started back in 2005, when my wife, Kathy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. My career as a National Geographic photographer came to an abrupt halt as I stayed home to tend to her and our three children.
It’s been more than 10 years, and Kathy is fine now, but that year at home gave me a new perspective on the shortness and fragility of life. I was 42 at the time, and as Kathy recovered, one question continued to haunt me: How can I get people to care that we could lose half of all species by the turn of the next century?
Perhaps a series of portraits, made as simply and cleanly as possible, would give us all a chance to look animals directly in the eye and see that there’s beauty, grace, and intelligence in the other creatures we share the planet with. Black and white backgrounds level the playing field, making a mouse every bit as grand as an elephant. In these portraits, they are equals.
All species are vitally important to our very survival; we need bees and even flies to pollinate the fruits and vegetables we eat. We need intact rain forest to regulate the amount of rainfall we get in areas where we grow crops. But beyond what’s in it for us, I believe that each species has a basic right to exist.
There are about 12,000 animal species in human care around the world. So far, I’ve made portraits of more than 8,000, and we’ll keep going until we get them all. It’ll take another 15 years or so. The goal is to show the world what biodiversity actually looks like and get everyone to care about saving species while there’s still time.
I hope you agree that the future of life on Earth is something that deserves our full attention. If so, please tell your friends that you care about all creatures, great and small. Share the photos. Help us celebrate. Join others devoted to saving species and habitats. We all can make a difference.
Joel Sartore
Kevin Cummins - So It Goes
I had the pleasure recently of meeting the legendary Kevin Cummins when he exhibited at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leanards, East Sussex while promoting his latest book “So It Goes - Punk And The Aftermath “
Punk music played a massive part during my teenage years in the late 70’s.
One of my weekly rituals was to buy the music papers that would hit the news shelves on a Thursday morning, always Sounds & NME, (New Musical Express was for the dinosaurs).This would be our guide to what gigs we would travel to over the next week or so, (this was the pre-internet age).
The music press was my introduction to Kevin’s work. Living in the south, the northern scene was unreachable to me, those superb Manchester bands where rarely within my reach, but the reviews of these gigs where often published along with Kevin’s photographs.
So It Goes encapsulates the the northern punk scene, the author was in a unique position, working so closely with The Buzzcocks and several other pivotal bands, he was totally imsersed within that scene.
As I mentioned the punk movement had a big influence on me as it did many others of mt era, talking to Kevin and reminiscing about this time was great.
Congratulations Kevin on the publication of your latest book, in my opinion a great piece of work well worth a few quid!
As for my copy and the B’dum B’dum annotation, if you weren’t there you won’t get it!
Nick Brandt: Inherit The Dust
Couldn't help but share these two amazing, inspiring and heartfelt short films by one of my favorite wildlife artists the wonderful Nick Brandt.
Nothing more to do other than let Nick in his own words describe the concept behind his latest beautiful poignant art piece, enjoy.Nick Brandt
Flickr Gift !
Morning Guys,
If you have a Flickr account don't forget to log in to it today and take advantage of their 3 months free gift. You don't often get something for nothing so grab it with both hands!
