Maelstrom documents the duality of nature; creation and
destruction in a single act. It is an exploration of the balance of
light and dark inherent in nature, both on a physical and
qualitative level. In this new body of work, an astounding array of
environmental factors align in a sudden, fleeting, chaotic event, to
produce an oceanic force that is unmatchable in its primal ferocity.
Tracing the source of this event to the particularly volatile El Nino
season of 2016, we are afforded a cursory and comfortably safer
glimpse of the exchange, cycle and balance of power fundamental
to the functioning of our planet and its oceans.These are cycles
that we as humans so often ignore, neglect or respect and are
barely beginning to understand. Maelstrom encourages the viewer
to reflect upon our own naivety and place as a species within the
greater natural balance of power.
Luke Shadbolt is a photographic artist and creative director from Sydney, Australia.
A consuming passion for the ocean lead to his formative years being spent travelling between remote natural areas and densely populated environments, affording him an empathetic insight into the interconnectedness of the world we inhabit.
With an ambition to illustrate grand ideas on an intimate and relatable scale, he explores the interaction of man and nature in a physical, sociological and evolutionary context.
He currently spreads his time between his fine art practice and commercial photography/creative direction in the action sports, travel, landscape and fashion industries.
Awards IPA 2015 - 3rd Prize Winner - Sports Category IPA 2014 - Honorable Mention - Nature Nikon / Surfing Australia Surf Photo of the year – 2014 Le Boogie Bodyboarding Photographer of the year – 2014 Riptide Bodyboarding Photographer of the year – 2014
