Fifth Artist: Gregory Colbert

Born in Toronto in 1960, Gregory Colbert is a Canadian photographer, known for his work titled 'Ashes and Snow', exhibited in the Nomadic Museum, which was built solely for this exhibition. Colbert had the idea of a sustainable travelling museum in 1999. He wanted a structure that could easily be built, providing a transitory environment for his work in different parts of the world. Colbert sees himself as an 'Apprentice to nature.' 
His work is a series of collaborations between animals and humans, that depicts the non-hierarchical relationship among man and beast. In an interview with the news channel Al Jazeera (One-on-one with Gregory Colbert, August 2010), Colbert says "I would define what I do as story telling... What's interesting is to have an expression in an orchestra - and I'm just one musician in the orchestra. Unfortunately, as a species, we've turned our back to the orchestra. I'm all about opening up this orchestra, not just to other humans, but to other species."
The image that most caught my attention is by far the one I have pictured below. Two tusk-less elephants sit by the tree shielding the children from potential dangers, predators, or even the acts of mother nature herself. This image creatures a story in my head, could it be that poachers have killed these two magnificent animals for their tusks, but the mutual respect earned by these two children between them and the elephants have kept the beasts' spirits with them, shielding and guarding them from danger? Elephants, a symbol of power, strength and royalty, and children, a symbol of naivety, helplessness and forlornness, combined to create such a powerful photograph. 
Like Colbert does so well, I want my 5th shoot to tell a story, and show a relationship between man and beast, whether is be a pet or a completely wild animal. I have chosen him as an artist because I adore his work, and believe it is a true masterpiece. For my 5th and final shoot I wanted something slightly different. I wanted a happier subject, and what makes one happier than when one is with someone or something he or she loves? Although I know my intention is slightly different than that of Colbert's, I have still been highly influenced by his work, and I firmly believe that using his technique of encapsulating a story in a photograph, I will be able to create a strong final shoot. 

Untitled, taken for his Ashes and Snow journals, exhibited at The Nomadic Museum. 

Despite having contacted Colbert, he has not got back to me and so I cannot further annotate the image of the elephants.