The Visions of Gregory Colbert

"I have been tusked by an elephant, almost eaten by a sperm whale, knocked off my feet by a rhinoceros, embraced by a jaguar, given a haircut by a tiger shark, chased by a hippo and a black mamba, brought to my knees by malaria and dengue. But I was able to avoid the greatest danger of all. Never stop exploring the things that open you, or that you love."

Gregory Colbert. 

Gregory Colbert  is a Canadian photographer/film maker who created Ashes and Snow, an ongoing travelling exhibition of photographs and films focusing on the exquisite interaction of humans and animals. Better known as the nomadic museum, these images and films are displayed in purposely built temporary structures that travel the world.

Each exhibition consists of more than fifty photographs measuring approx 3.5m by 2.5m. All created on special handmade Japanese paper.  His exhibitions also consist of three film installations. His films are stunning imagery, more poetic rather than documentaries, edited by two time oscar winner Pietro Scalia and narrated in various languages by well known actors.   What is incredible with his work,is that none of the photographic or film images have been digitally collaged or superimposed. I feel calm, inspired and engrossed in his story when viewing his images that speak a thousand words. This post focuses on his most recent 'elephant series'.

Ashes and Snow is a  project Gregory has been working on for thirty years, with each exhibition honouring the connection of humans and animals. 

Extract From his website; ' Ashes and Snow first opened at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy, in 2002. The Nomadic Museum, the traveling home of Ashes and Snow, debuted in New York in 2005 and then migrated to Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Mexico City, and is charted to travel the globe with no final destination. Ashes and Snow has welcomed more than ten million visitors to date, making it the most attended exhibition by any living artist in history.

"I think of my life's work as a celebration of all of nature, an orchestra that plays not the sounds of one musician, the music of one species, but rather an expression of all of nature's songs".

“When I started Ashes and Snow in 1992, I set out to explore the relationship between man and animals from the inside out. In discovering the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards restoring the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals.”

Enticing you with more of his work......

I'm obsessed. If you are, click on the links above and these photos to see more of his work. Please visit his website to find out more about Gregory and sign up to receive notification on when and where his next nomadic museum will be constructed. 

Love your work Gregory. 

I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do.

Warm regards

Gessica