CHELSEA ART: The New Thirty-Something Block ... - ARTisSpectrum

Through his work, Zammit-Lucia is driving two major changes inthe world of conservation and environmental photography. Firstof all he sees his work as expressive rather than representational.Moving away from the ‘straight,’ almost photojournalistic representationsthat are the daily fare of nature photography, he usesbold compositions, dramatic use of space, unusual cropping andstriking colors used sparingly to engage the viewer emotionallywith the subject. One cannot help but be touched by these images.Secondly, he prefers to focus on the positive rather than the negative.“Much environmental photography focuses on the shocking,the negative, the destructive. But the shocking is commonplaceand viewers today are becoming inured to the daily bombardmentby negative imagery” he says. “My aim is to focus on thepositive; to elevate the subject to a higher level while highlightingareas of progress in the task of environmental preservation. I believethat this may encourage many to join in the efforts to createa sustainable environment shared with a diverse variety of animaland plant species.”In this, the artist claims to draw inspiration from the words ofFrench neo-classical writer Roland Barthes: “Ultimately, Photographyis subversive not when it frightens, repels, or even stigmatizes,but when it is pensive, when it thinks.”This powerful, expressive approach that positively engages ouremotions was recently on display in the artist’s solo exhibition atthe United Nations headquarters in New York.Dr Zammit-Lucia’s “Fauves” portfolio and other work is causinga stir in the art world. Collectors of these images are satisfied inthe knowledge that they are not just acquiring captivating imagesissued in limited editions; they are also making a direct financialcontribution to environmental conservation.Sadness Archival Digital Print 20”x 13” Disappearing Archival Digital Print 20”x 13”27 ArtisSpectrum