Senior Jack Gallagher is kicking off the 2024-25 Crawford Campus Center Gallery season with Mbi ri nawa (I'm doing alright), a photography showcase of his National Geographic Expedition to Namibia—a country located on the southwestern coast of Africa—this past summer.
"For three weeks, I lived out of a tent and traveled by a simple box truck, capturing its extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and people," Jack explained in his artist statement. "I met with local environmental experts dedicated to protecting Namibia's unique ecosystems and the thousands of rare species that call it home."
Bordered by the ancient Namib Desert, Jack said that "Namibia is a biodiversity hotspot" and "its endemic species, found nowhere else on Earth, face threats from climate change-induced drought and international poaching."
The show, named after a common phrase in Oshiherero (a language spoken in Namibia), highlights Jack's efforts to bring wildlife conservation in Namibia to the forefront. "The camera is the most powerful tool in the fight for wildlife protection," he explained. "Through my photographs, I aim to raise awareness about humanity's crucial role in safeguarding our natural world. Climate change—the greatest threat to nature—has caused severe droughts in much of Namibia over the past decade. Protecting global ecosystems is essential for the well-being of both nature and humanity."
Visual Arts Department Chair David Sigel, Hon. said that "watching Jack's creative voice emerge and his thought-provoking imagery come to life through the lens of his camera has been truly inspiring."
"Under [Upper School Photography Teacher] Ms. Erikson's guidance, Jack has developed a remarkable ability to tell stories, reflect on the world around him, and capture the essence of his experiences," Mr. Sigel continued. "This solo exhibition showcases the emotional depth and environmental richness he encountered during his three-week expedition to Namibia. As a participant in a National Geographic Expedition, Jack was tasked with becoming a future recorder of the world through the lens of his camera, and his work beautifully fulfills that mission. We could not be more excited to start the Crawford Campus Center Gallery season with one of our own students' work."
The show will hang in the Crawford Campus Center Gallery from Sept. 16 through Oct. 15, with an artist's reception being held on Friday, Sept. 27, from 12:30-1 p.m.