Last year, my agent curated an exhibition called Together At. An opportunity for their artists to step away from commercial briefs and explore new ideas, processes, and subject matter. I chose to focus on a topic that’s deeply important to me: climate change.
Using four cameras (two stills, two video) and my motion control rig, I captured black paint being poured over large ice sculptures. In post-production, I deliberately adjusted the orientation of the final imagery, not just for aesthetic reasons, but to obscure the literal content of the images. I wanted to leave space for interpretation, inviting viewers to reflect and arrive at their own meaning.
Despite the weight of the subject, it was a joy to create something purely for its own sake. To experiment, explore, and make without limitations. It’s a process I always find energising and creatively grounding.
Below you’ll find the text which accompanied these visuals. It’s not the easiest read:
There is an overwhelming amount of information about climate change, making it easy to feel uncertain or lost.
The complexity of climate modelling presents us with a range of possible futures. By 2100, global temperatures could rise anywhere from a best-case 1.4°C to a catastrophic 4.4°C, depending on factors like population growth, deforestation, and the resulting impact on global greenhouse gas emissions.
While opinions vary on which scenario is most likely, one thing is certain: scientists agree the climate emergency is already here.
In their latest report, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states:
“Increasing weather and climate extreme events have exposed millions of people to acute food insecurity and reduced water security. Many low-lying megacities and small islands are projected to experience historical centennial events at least annually by 2050.”
On our current trajectory, “risks such as erosion and land loss, flooding, salinization, and cascading impacts due to mean sea level rise and extreme events are projected to significantly increase throughout this century,” while “annual coastal flood damages are projected to increase by 2–3 orders of magnitude by 2100 compared to today.”
The choices we make today will shape the world that exists at the end of this century.
Wherever possible, we must demand meaningful action from our politicians—not just for our own future, but for the generations that follow.
This project is dedicated to my daughter, Rosie. I will do everything I can to protect your future.
Source:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021 and 2023 reports and website) Visit www.ipcc.ch to learn more
With just one assistant, four cameras, my motion control rig, and massive blocks of melting ice, the shoot was full-on; leaving little time to capture behind-the-scenes footage. That said, I did manage to film a few moments that offer a glimpse into the process.
The ice sculptures, supplied by Icebox, were truly breathtaking. One of the most captivating things about working with ice is how it constantly evolves. It begins with a frosty, matte surface and, as it melts, becomes crystal clear. The shape subtly shifts over time, offering an ever-changing landscape of creative possibilities.
We suspended the ice using fishing wire, frozen directly inside the blocks. That made things a little nerve-wracking. It meant keeping a constant eye on the melt, knowing that if the wire slipped free, the whole piece could come crashing down.
