Stay Tuned!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive latest news straight in your inbox and get invited to our exclusive events and exhibitions.

Select all

×
Skip to content

Leonhard's Gallery

  • Home
  • The Collection
  • News
  • Exhibitions
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

David Yarrow - Burning Down The House

More posts

Next piece »
« Previous piece
« Back to David Yarrow
Burning Down The House

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.

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
Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
×
Fields marked with an * are required
    Leopoldstraat 45 - 2000 Antwerpen - Belgium
    ©2021 LEONHARD'S GALLERY | Terms & Privacy | designed by RVDH