Zed Nelson, is a talented documentary photographer who is based in London. He is famous for the way he tackles significant global social issues. Multiples of his projects have be exhibited worldwide where he has earned numerous awards for his contributions to photography.
Nelsons recognition within audiences majorly succeeded in his latest project called “The Anthropocene Illusion”. In this project, it is evident that Nelson dug into the relationships between nature and humanity. It highlights how us human species have normalised curating and managing an artificial experience of nature while concurrently causing irreversible harm to the natural world. This project was only recently completed, 2024, and it took approximately 5 years to realise fully.
Nelson incredible work has acquired him several photography awards, Some including, CAP prize (Contemporary African Photography prize), The First Prize in the World Press Photo Competition, The Alfred Eisenstaedt Award (USA) and so much more.
His project “The Anthropocene Illusion” was debuted in the International Photography Festival “Xposure” in Sharjah. It illuminated the showcased work as a testament to humanity’s separation from nature, which arises destruction, while yearning refuge in the world of artificial intelligence as a means to getaway the malice reality.
Xposure is an ultimate photography and film extravaganza festival that offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and connection where you can immerse yourself in captivating photography talks, engage with renowned photographers and release your inner creativity with stimulating workshops. It is a festival where it welcomes filmmakers to showcase their talent and connect with industry professionals.
In more technical terms, Nelsons, mention allude to the concept of Anthropocene epoch. This is where human species have become a dominant force in shaping the planets geological and ecological systems. His exhibitions, hence dispenses a critical view of the human nature relationships, begging for reconsideration of humans approach to conservation and sustainability.
- Why have you chosen this artist?
I have chosen this artist because I really like how unique his interpretation of Anthropocne is. The way he bring awareness to how silly humans are when it comes to animals in captivity is really admiring and eye opening. He shows the stupidity of the fact that us humans distort nature and then try to revert such irreversible damage to nature. I also just really like how he out of all artists, is highlighted due to the fact he brings awareness in such a way that is not commonly thought of.
2. What interests you about their work?
I like how his work has a depth and how different it is. I admire how his work has succeeded in such incredible ways and how his photos are breathtaking. His work is also quite humorous. He almost mocks humans for holding anime captive and then to ‘make it all better’, creating a habitat that looks nothing and feels nothing like their actual true habitat.
3. How does the work relate to the theme of Anthropocene?
He shows how humans over time has normalised the curating and managing artificial experience of nature while causing extreme amounts of damage to nature.
4. What are you going to do as a response to their work?
I’ll create similar picture like he has where it show animals held in captivity where their habitat is painted or artificial. I will also try to photograph parts of nature where humans consistently explore and gain profit from it because they see it as something that makes profit not something that is made to stay in the nature, untouched.
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