Art Wolfe: the nature photographer
Arnold Abner Newman, known as Art Wolfe is a American artist photographer born on September 13, 1951 in Seattle. He quickly became known He established himself through his different photographs concerning animals and nature. If his notoriety was so rapid, it is because he succeeded in capturing particularly animals rare like the bay cat. Even today, he multiplies the photographies and he also contributed to the creation of numerous works concerning his art. Another major distinction, the fact that he won the Alfred Eisenstadt Magazine Photography Prize , as well as the Rachel Carson Award and the Audubon Award.
The journey of Art Wolfe
The son of artists,Wolfe follows a traditional university path at the University of Chicago. university of Washington, a city in which he still lives. He obtained his degree in fine arts and artistic education at the University of Chicago. from 1975. In this context, he was able to study with renowned professors such as Jacob Lawrence. He quickly launched into photography, because it was a real revelation for him. Now his career as a photographer spans 10 decades. This proves once again the quality of the product. of its work and the sustainability of its work of his work.
As a passionate advocate, A naturalist and expert in the field of indigenous culture, he uses all his know-how to produce photos of the highest quality. outstanding. Throughout his career, he never stopped trying. to increase the number of trips abroad; across the world and on different continents. This allowed him to establish once again remarkable projects in hundreds of places, sometimes even almost uninhabited.
Wolfe's mission remains multiple by using both journalistic styles and artistic styles. It is not a simple photograph, but a form of education for the viewer. This allows him to have a unique approach by using a variety of techniques. both the university education he received, but also his artistic sense and love of the environment.
Its primary objective rests systematically on the conservation of nature by focusing on the most beautiful elements that the earth is capable of producing. These photographs allow us to immortalize nature that is rapidly disappearing.
Throughout his professional career, Wolfe produced millions of images, devoting several months each year to the realization of new projects. It also increases the number of seminars with educational, corporate and spiritual groups.
A photographer who innovates in his genre
Previously, the term conservation photographs was not used. However, Wolfe practiced it without knowing it. In 1997, the photographer decided to hold a competition on the theme of conservation. For him, it is a particularly important event which should contribute to the progress of photography, while focusing on preservation of the environment. This competition is carried out every year and it reaches a high point in 2012 when it receives applications from all over the world since the International Conservation Photography exhibited in 2012. the works in the natural and cultural history museum from Seattle.
It was in 1978 that Wolfe produced his first book entitled; « Indian baskets of the Northwest coast ». For this, he succeeded in achieving this. being supported by a close friend, who is also his mentor: Doctor Allan Lobb. He is a very important person who quickly supported him in his work, even when he was still a young photographer. Indeed, the Doctor published the photos of his friend in the Swedish Medical Center.
Face its notoriety growing, the biggest photography magazines have taken an interest in he and still today magazines from all over the world do not hesitate to publish his stories and photographs. For example, for Terre Sauvage, GEO, Audubon or even National Geographic.
Many American and international buildings international players did not hesitate to join in use Wolfe's work in the form of monographs. Traveling exhibitions have also been organized. carried out notably in the Seattle museum. Moreover, if you wish to admire some of his works, you can go directly to his website or if you are lucky enough to go to California, to the Artemis gallery.
A true passion that is felt in his publications
Since 1998, Wolfe has strived to publish at least one book each year. In total, he published more than 120 books during his professional career and his works have been widely published. translated into eight languages. Unquestionably, his major work remains «The new art of nature photography». But there are also other references like « Vanishing Act » or « The art of the photograph ».
In order to raise awareness among a wider audience, he also produces children's books like « O is for orca ».
Although he is not a writer, Graphis included one of his books in the 100 best publications of the 90s. It was from his work «Light on the land».
In 2000, he published his seminal work « The living Wild » and that same year he founded Wildlands Press. Success was achieved, because his book sold at a high price. more than 70,000 copies and he won numerous national awards.
In 2014, Wolfe decided to sign a partnership with Earth Aware Editions, which allowed him to authored numerous books, also receiving awards. Let us quote among others «Earth is my Witness».
Very curious about the world of art, Wolfe also launched into the world of art. in television production as a host, and this from the mid-90s. He then launched into public television at starting in 2007 with a more intimate and optimistic series concerning the different perspectives of nature.
Wolfe remains an essential nature photographer having received countless awards for his photographic works.