A wolf prowls in front of a Trump sign in It Is Only a Matter of Time, a photograph by Scottish fine art photographer David Yarrow on display in Chicago.

ART REVIEW

In his new photography exhibition, Wild Encounters, British fine art photographer David Yarrow goes beyond photographing endangered wildlife. His most recent works are full of political innuendos.

BY KAZAD

CHICAGO – Wild Encounters, an exhibition of limited edition signed photographic prints by world-renowned British fine art photographer David Yarrow has been at the center of art conversations since it opened in November of 2017 at the Hilton | Asmus Contemporary in Chicago. The overwhelming attention and appreciation from art lovers forced the organizer of the show to extend it for another month. It now ends on April 27.

David Yarrow Photography and Wild Encounters

A major part of what is driving people to the show is David Yarrow’s daring escapades as a wildlife photographer. In order to capture the most intimate photo of animals, he gets up close and personal, putting himself in danger. “I was ones punched by a guerrilla,” he said jokingly during a recent interview. However, beyond the danger and hair-raising encounters with wild animals, David’s photographs are stunningly beautiful and tell their own stories.

One of the conversation pieces in Wild Encounters is It Is Only a Matter of Time. The black and white photograph has a marauding wolf dangerously gazing at that which is before him.  In the distance is a neon billboard with the name Trump on it. Taken in November 2017 during a visit to Chicago, David Yarrow got his inspiration from the city’s visually intoxicating architecture and the current political moment to create the new photograph. Working with the City of Chicago Police Department, Yarrow shut down an area of the Chicago River Walk in the dead of night and brought in wolves to stage this stunning tableau with the Trump Tower as a backdrop. For their assistance, the City of Chicago Police Department charitable foundation will benefit from the proceeds of print sales of this photograph.

It Is Only a Matter of Time Generates Intense Debate

In addition to the aesthetics of the photograph, It Is Only a Matter of Time has also generated intense debate because of its political undertone. “What does it mean?” a viewer asked as she contemplated the photography. The title has also left many wondering what the wildlife photographer is getting at in this photograph.  “What does It Is Only a Matter of Time mean?”  For David Yarrow, that is the essence of the photograph because viewers get the chance to inscribe their own understanding and meaning. “It is up to the viewer to determine my reason for the title,” said Yarrow. However, he understands that “there is a rather topical message that is stamped emphatically all over the image. It is surely now ‘just a matter of time.”

Interestingly, It Is Only a Matter of Time is not the only piece getting all the attention, so also is The Wolf of Main Street.  From a recent series shot in Montana in December of 2017, the image features a wolf prowling atop a vacant bar counter. The wolf intensely gazes at the camera, ignoring the man and woman behind him. He seems obsessed with the target before him.  The piece is full of innuendos that led viewers to search for clues.  Is this a metaphor for the greedy shylocks and unscrupulous lenders who exploit common people on Main Street? Who knows?  Like many of David Yarrow’s other photographs, viewers get the opportunity to project meanings and interpretations based on the photograph before them. The Wolf of Main Street will be up for auction at Sotheby’s New York this April.

David Yarrow: Wild Encounters of a Wildlife Photographer

David Yarrow has made a name for himself as one of the most daring photographers in the world. His evocative and immersive photography is most distinctive and has earned him an ever-growing following. Yarrow’s close encounters with wild animals in the wild and dangerous places are enough to scare the fable-minded. From elephants to tigers, lions, giraffes,  gorillas, and bears, David has photographed them all. In one photograph, an elephant charges the camera in a way that will scare anyone. In another photograph, a lion lunges as if saying ” I am going to get you.” For David, the thrill is in getting the perfect picture.

Regarded as one of the most accomplished nature photographers working today,  Yarrow has spent much of the past three decades in remote locales capturing grippingly intimate portraits of animals. Traveling extensively across seven continents David has helped bring attention to the plight of vulnerable and endangered wildlife including Bengal tigers in India, polar bears in Alaska, and Silverback Gorillas in Rwanda. A celebrity in the photography world, David has been covered by Italian Vogue, Forbes, and British GQ and is an Ambassador for Nikon as well as a Global Ambassador for Land Rover. A dedicated conservationist, Yarrow is also the affiliated photographer of Tusk Trust, a leading African conservation charity for which HRH Prince William is the Royal Patron.

A Success Story in Sales and Appreciation

Already, the David Yarrow exhibition has become the most successful in the history of Hilton | Asmus Contemporary, earning in excess of $1 million in sales thus far. “We have been overwhelmed by the tremendous response we have received to David’s work and we are very excited that this show has sold in excess of one million dollars,” said gallery President & Curator Arica Hilton. She adds that   “His pieces are majestic, bringing the viewer face-to-face with many animals on the brink of extinction.  The work he shot in Chicago is particularly striking, juxtaposing nature with the city’s architecture.”

There are high expectations that more people will visit the exhibition and that the earnings will continue to increase. In addition to the works on sale, signed copies of Wild Encounters, a printed collection of David Yarrow’s photographs, which was awarded “Art Book of 2017” by Amazon are also on sale. all author royalties go to the Tusk Trust. Released by Rizzoli in October 2016, the book includes a by Prince William. All author royalties go to the Tusk Trust.

When It Is Only a Matter of Time goes on auction later this year, it is expected to make auction record price for the artist’s work. David’s works already command important prices at auctions. During the 2017 Sotheby’s photography auction, his work Mankind sold for over $80,000, the highest winning bid for any lot in the auction.

Mankind by David Yarrow sold for over $80,000 at Sotheby’s photography auction in 2017.

BONUS: David Yarrow Reveals his Photography Secrets

Video courtesy of YorPick/Youtube

Have you ever been to a show or seen wildlife photographs by David Yarrow? What do you think? Share your comment. Follow Us: Facebook– Twitter–Instagram