An unexpected encounter between urban art and wild nature, captured in a suggestive and meaningful shot. It is the image of a rate, immortalized while it seems to observe with curiosity a scratch that portrays itto have conquered the heart of the public and won the prestigious People’s Choice Award of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
The work, entitled “No Access”, was made by British photographer Ian Wood A st Leonards-on-sea, in the East Sussex. Wood, passionate about naturalistic photography, had noticed that some rates, coming from a nearby den, approached the houses in search of food left for the foxes.
From this observation was born the idea of creating a unique scene, combining the urban element of graffiti – clearly inspired by the style of Banksythe famous British street artist – with the wild presence of the animal. “I spent most of two years photograph them,” he told Wood to the BBC“And this particular photo was born as an idea. I thought it would be fun to put the graffiti there and see if I could make a rate walk under them“.
After setting up a small hiding place on the roadside, illuminated only by the light of a lamppost, Wood patiently waited for the arrival of his subject. And patience, you know, is the virtue of naturalist photographers. One night, finally, the rate appeared, walking on the sidewalk right under the mural, offering Wood the opportunity to make the perfect shot.
The image immediately hit the collective imagination, obtaining an extraordinary success: Over 76,000 votes from all over the worlda record for the competition, they decreed Wood’s victory Among the 25 finalist images selected by Natural History Museum in London.
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Douglas Gurrdirector of the museum, praised Wood’s ability to capture “A unique glimpse of the interaction between nature and the human worldunderlining the importance of understanding urban wildlife “. “His exceptional photography,” added Gurr, “is a powerful reminder of the fact that local nature and wildlife, often just outside our homes, can inspire and fascinate us.”
But for Wood, the photo also has a deeper meaning, linked to the controversial theme of the demolition of rates, A practice used in England to contain corn tuberculosisbut destined to cease within five years. “I would immediately change this award if the government revoked all the licenses existing for the reduction of rates,” said the photographer, defining the demolition “a national shame”.
The photo of Wood, together with four other images – a rate of honey chasing an porcupine, a hermine camouflaged in the snow, a barbagianni in flight and a erupting volcano under a lenticular cloud – It will be exhibited online and at the Natural History Museum until the end of June. An opportunity to admire not only the beauty of nature, but also man’s ability to capture it and tell it through the art of photography. An image that is not only beautiful, is an invitation to reflect on the coexistence between man and nature, a very current and important theme.
To see the 5 finalist photos, click here.
