Burning Down The House
| Burning Down The House | |
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Borneo, 2018 We left our river base in Borneo’s Tanjung Puting National Park at 4 am. Three hours later by motor boat, we arrived at a remote jungle destination far from the tourist trail. It had been a visually intoxicating journey - half “Apocalypse Now” and half “Tarzan”. My guides then spoke to local rangers about where a certain large male orangutan had been recently sighted. Everyone wanted to help us. By 8:45am, we had landed in an area reconfigured by fires and deforestation - it was otherworldly and unique, but bereft of our principal goal - the orangutan. But my local friends know the calling noises and sure enough within an hour an enormous male came into view. But no more than just into view - he was scared of humans and who right now can blame him? We have destroyed his home for corporate greed. There was no picture and eight hours in a boat the size of a phone box looked like ending with nothing. The thing is that orangutans are so smart. Let me repeat - so smart. It’s humbling, because us humans clearly aren’t that smart. When we got back into our tiny boats defeated - but in awe, everything changed in one minute. He felt emboldened by our evacuation and approached us. We cut our engines and I had my moment. The backdrop - of dead or burnt trees - was a poignant canvas on which to paint a picture that speaks a thousand words. They are just like us - around 97% some say. But they are so much more magnificent than us - look into the orange person's face! I will never forget that Sunday morning in Borneo. We have to show this in colour. It is what it is and I am damn proud. |
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| Year | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Series | Wildlife |
| Technique | Photography |
| Size(s) | Standard: 132 cm x 165 cm - Large: 180 cm x 231 cm |
| Presentation | Museum Glass, Passe-Partout & Black wooden frame |
| Edition of | 12 (large size), 12 (standard size) |
| Status | Available |
| Share | |
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