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Sanctuary in the Wild 13" x 19" Clamshell + Book

Sanctuary in the Wild 13" x 19" Clamshell + Book

“I grew up on a lake nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains of California, a place that became my sanctuary. This profound connection with the wild instilled a deep respect for our environment and a desire to protect it. My photography is an extension of this passion, capturing the raw essence of nature and highlighting the urgent need for conservation. Through my lens, I want to inspire others to see our natural world's beauty and understand our critical role in preserving it.” —Christina McFaul

 

Christina McFaul explores the natural world through the youthful eyes of her two boys, discovering the magic and mysteries of the wilderness. She and her children transform in these encounters with nature, becoming one with it. They embark on a quest to find the essence of being, something reminiscent of the sanctuary our ancient forebears discovered before the dawn of civilization. The artist invites viewers to see the world anew — full of curiosity, wonder, and awe for nature. The book tells a story within nature, journeying to our inner child, seeking peace and purpose in our pure being, finding solace in the wild, and uncovering a sense of belonging in the world through nature.

  • About the Book:

    First Edition, 200 copies
    2024
    22 × 29 cm
    56 pages
    Hardcover / French-folding
    ISBN 978-89-97605-95-8

     

    * numbered
    * Includes one original print, signed
    (‘Fortuna’, 2019, Archival pigment print, 7″×5″)
    * Text by Mary Oliver
    * Book Production by Munsung printing

     

    About the Clamshell:

    Shown here in moss green, the Clamshell consists of 22 13" x 19" prints.

  • Review of Christina’s Project:

    The series has the extremely essential ability to speak to the hearts of different audiences around the world. It can do that because you have used a powerful foundation to build up your story. The majority of artists/storytellers believe that to get the attention of the audience they need to tell a story so different and unique like no other. But what actually works is the exact opposite. Throughout history, the stories that moved the audience on a large scale were stories whose foundation has deep roots in the history of humanity. The stories that move the viewer are those whose content and ethical message are familiar but the approach is fresh and original. These stories have a profound impact on the audience because while they think that they see something new, deep inside they recognize that there is something intimate in these stories. The interplay of an intimate theme/ethical message and a fresh approach is diachronically the epitome of great storytelling. So, that is exactly what I see in your work here, Christina, and I am delighted about it. I see ingenuity and inventiveness in the approach, while the theme feels deeply familiar - your story it feels like an alternative version of the story of the Garden of Eden.    

     

    And upon this robust foundation, you weave an overlapped narrative thread that speaks about how important nature is for us and our well-being. Multiple studies document the psychological and physical benefits of connecting with nature. People who are more connected with nature are happier, feel more vital, and have more meaning in their lives. In today's world, it is widely accepted that we are more disconnected from nature than we were a century ago, and this is bad news not only for our well-being but also for the environment.
     

    Your project does not aim to underline the source of our nature deficit but to cultivate a feeling of wanting to go back to nature. Through your pictures, you present the journey of the two little boys who through playing and exploration calling us to follow. The monochrome format besides the innate emotion triggers our imagination and curiosity to follow the boys and along with them to discover where we really came from.

     

    —Lensculture review

$2,800.00Price
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