IVORY

IVORY

In the depths of the African night, a baby elephant timidly ventures out of the shadows, drawn towards the beckoning glow of the radiant moonlight.

In the starlit skies of the great African night, the herd placed themselves in silence under a magnificent Marula tree, where the pickings were good. The soft shuffle of their delicate paws, occasionally mixed with the rustle of dry leaves and ripened fruit lying on the ground directly below, gave their location. As broken moonlight swathed through the branches, a young calf emerged briefly into one of its beams, pausing as she studied the twigs and shapes beneath. She rumbled softly as her trunk picked a choice piece, bringing it to her mouth and tasting the earthy spoils of their tree above. Moments later, and with a touch of grace, she retreated into the comforting shadows, safely cocooned within the guardianship of her vigilant kin.

Africa, the resplendent continent, harbors a multitude of challenges within its embrace. Regrettably, the insatiable greed of certain individuals has cast a sinister shadow upon the survival of its majestic and endangered inhabitants. It was with a bittersweet blend of joy and sorrow that I observed this poignant scene unfold, as the young calf ventured cautiously amidst her small familial cohort. She sensed the potential threat posed by humans, yet there existed a flicker of trust that impelled her to allow me closer for that ephemeral moment. The symbolism was profound, for within the fragile innocence of this creature lies the very tragedy that threatens its existence—the boundless avarice of humanity, fuelling the demand for ivory. In parallel with the rhinoceros, the elephant's average lifespan wanes, eroded by the relentless surge in demand for their prized tusks and horns. These social, affectionate, and deeply sentient beings are fellow citizens of our planet, leaving behind an irreplaceable legacy that is vanishing silently, leaving naught but a haunting trace of their presence—objects collected and destined for immortality in the gilded sanctuaries of trophy-hungry possessors.

RAW AFRICA COLLECTION

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, and the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful, gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles, and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.