The Poetry of a Silent Tragedy
2020 - 2023
2020 - 2023
During the 2020 global lockdown, I found myself stranded on a tropical island, where I began photographing a close group of artist friends from around the world. Immersed in this natural paradise, we entered a space of deep presence, contemplative movement, and embodied awareness. Through these moments, we gradually stripped away cultural layers and reconnected with our atavistic roots—becoming part of nature itself.
As the project unfolded, I confronted a darker truth: the loss of biodiversity in Southeast Asia caused by deeply rooted human cultural practices. Songbirds and other wildlife, once abundant, face threats from hunting, trade, singing competitions, pets, and traditional uses. These silenced forests contrast sharply with the blissful rewilding and immersive experiences we shared on the island.
The Poetry of a Silent Tragedy captures this paradox: intimate, contemplative human presence intertwined with the stark reality of wildlife extinction. Through immersive photography, the series explores the connection between humans and tropical ecosystems, highlighting the fragile balance between our rewilding practices and the threats facing biodiversity in southern Thailand.
*some of the photographs shown here were taken during nature immersions with "Being Nature With Dolores Dewhurst-Marks" .
Photo of me performing a caged being yearning for freedom, by Olivia Pino
