Cape Town-based photographer Chris Fallows was awarded the coveted Global Eye Award during this year’s STARTnet Fair at Saatchi Gallery in London. His submission consisted of a Fine Art Nature Photograph, titled ‘Air Jaws’. The image showcases a Great White Shark breaching the surface of the ocean in a leap rarely seen.
The image forms part of Chris’ limited edition body of works called ‘The Eleventh Hour’. Eleven of his artworks are black and white, depicting what he has seen and the pressures so many animals face, while the final image is a magnificent colour image of two of Africa’s icons standing side by side, a bull elephant and a huge fig tree – a symbol of hope and a call for change.
“We received an overwhelming number of entries from artists living and working all around the globe for the 2020 Global Eye Award and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to experience all these amazing artworks,” said Founder and Chairman of STARTnet and the Global Eye Programme, David Ciclitira.
“Having to decide an overall winner from our four fantastic semi-finalists was no easy feat, but we feel that Chris Fallows’ ‘Air Jaws’, is truly deserving of the winning title.”
Fallows’ image was chosen for the powerful and important message it carries in a world ever increasingly moving towards a greater awareness of sustainability.
“What a great honour that I am truly proud of especially considering the incredible talent of my fellow artists. I am particularly grateful for the chance to share the magnificence of the iconic creatures we share our planet with and hope this further elevates the cause to learn to exist alongside them. It is indeed gratifying that Fine Art Wildlife Photography has been so well received,” says Fallows.
These Limited Edition Fine Artworks are incredibly powerful, and their message resonates a call for change.
“We’re highly visual creatures, and it is a well-known fact that a strong connection between visual imagery and empathy exists; as humans, we need to see something with our own eyes to care about it. Each of the 12 works presented in The Eleventh Hour conveys a message, and I hope they help to spread awareness on wildlife conservation issues and ignite conversations around this,” he added.
The Global Eye Award winner announcement took place on the very same week as the launch of Best of Cape Town, which was also announced during the STARTnet Art Fair at Saatchi Gallery in London.
Best of Cape Town will be a curated five-day programme showcasing the best Art, Food and Wine Cape Town has to offer. Promising a programme filled with special events, exhibitions and functions in July 2021, Best of CapeTown will be hosted in partnership with the City of Cape Town and SA Tourism, along with key collaborators from best in class art galleries, restaurants and wine farms.
Best of Cape Town will go on tour to the 2021 STARTnet Art Fair at Saatchi Gallery, where a young emerging chef, artist and winemaker will have the opportunity to showcase their work and the Best of Cape Town to a global audience.
Picture: Supplied