Blazing Saddles
Canyonlands, Utah, USA – 2021
This photograph was a spontaneous behind the scenes shot taken early one winter morning high up in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The cowboys we had on set were simply keeping warm, not playing to the camera. When I looked at my camera files later, I realised that we had something very strong and our galleries were very keen for the work to be released and shown to the public in America and Europe. This was never our intent, and it is the first time this situation has arisen in ten years.
The grandeur of the American West is well known and well photographed. In our minds, stunning landscapes should complement the shot, not be the shot. Layered narratives have become core to my style, we like to make a frame sweat. This image is certainly a validation of that approach.
99% of my released work is printed in monochrome, but this print works better in colour. I looked back at some of the other work we have released in colour and they all have one thing in common; my shots with tigers, orangutans and now this image all have the colour orange in them. Orange is not a normal colour in my work, but when it features, a colour print is often preferable. A black and white print simply doesn’t cope well with orange.
On this occasion, the orange flames from the fire are such a core component of the story that to print this in monochrome would dumb down the narrative. I am all for the reductive qualities of monochrome, but we always want to tell the best possible story.
There is a lot going on in this image and we know it emotionally connects with those in Americadrawn to the lore of the West.
AVAILABLE SIZES:
Standard
- Image size: 37" x 58"
- Framed with a 3" mat: 48" x 69"
- Framed with a 5" mat: 52" x 73"
Large
- Image size: 56" x 88"
- Framed with a 3" mat: 67" x 99"
- Framed with a 5" mat: 71" x 103”
We ship worldwide and use a multitude of providers to safely deliver your masterpiece. Domestic delivery and installation may also be available via Hilton Asmus Contemporary’s private art shuttle. Please inquire.
The Break Up
“There are a number of very special locations in Monument Valley, but so much depends on the time of day and the position of the sun. It therefore takes time to location scout as there is only one place a day that can be explored at 5pm or 6pm. The grandeur of the place is intoxicating – it is an artist’s dream and it pays to take one’s time. Access to this particular look out point on the Utah side required consent from the Navajo Indians, but the red tape is worth it because it offers the quintessential Wild West view. We were shooting right on the edge of the cliff – have a look at the behind the scenes video we produced for the shoot.
There were easy parts to getting this image – the light we knew would be at its most dramatic around 5.30pm and getting the Chevy in place just required a good off road driver – anyone really other than me.
The hard part was to capture any brief moments of true interaction between Josie Canseco and the wolf. I have worked with this wolf – Crocket – before and he can be quite chilled, but gettingthem to face each other – as if in a deep and intense conversation was a tough brief for Crocket’s handler. Then again all we needed for the killer vignette was one second of luck and eventually, as the light started to fade, we got it. Josie is a world class Victoria’s Secret model and it shows. To play that role next to a wolf in the front seats of a car with a 2000 feet drop behind you is not a normal day’s work. Luckily neither Josie nor the wolf put the car into reverse.” – David Yarrow
AVAILABLE SIZES:
- Large: 67 x 95 inches(Edition of 12)
- Standard: SOLD OUT (Edition of 12)
We ship worldwide and use a multitude of providers to safely deliver your artwork. Domestic delivery and installation may also be available via Hilton Contemporary’s private art shuttle. Please inquire.
Road Trip II
Utah, USA 2018
I have always been drawn to the John Ford scenery of Northern Arizona and Utah, the highlight of which has to be Monument Valley. I am clearly not alone in considering the view south from turnoff 13 on the way to Mexican Hat to be one of the most visually intoxicating sights in the US. It was, of course, used in Forrest Gump and then provided the front cover to Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise. The US have taken ownership of the term “road trip” as explained succinctly by this stretch of tarmac. It’s truly an iconic and timeless vista that shouts “The Wild West”.
Gladiator is probably Ridley Scott finest movie and I have watched it over and over again. Meanwhile, Thelma and Louise is rightly one of the most lauded road trip movies of all time. About a month ago, I picked up the DVD box and had a moment of inspiration. Their use of the convertible car and the head on angle offered a totally different perspective on Monument Valley.
Taking my pre-conception through to reality last Wednesday morning was no small task. I want to thank Brawler Productions in LA for collaborating with me and helping secure exclusive use of the road at the key time, around 7.40 am. It’s a busy road and the Utah State Police were fantastic. @JosieCanseco played her role brilliantly – it was not easy to look that glamorous and in charge with a wolf sitting In Thelma’s seat. It is no surprise that Victoria’s Secret has booked her for its latest show in NYC.
We arrived on site two days before the shoot as we wanted to be in control of everything within our control. I can’t remember ever pondering more over camera settings and lenses. I knew I would have a generous amount of light to play with at 7.40 and we had to use it well. The big variable was the wolf’s behaviour – the light gets too harsh from about 8am and therefore there was only a small window to get the job wrapped. It was tight, but we did it. All in all, it was a great team effort in a fairly remote part of the American West.
We showed this picture for the first time in Dallas last night and the reaction was huge. It is a very special image and I think we nailed it. Thank you, Josie, you were fabulous.
AVAILABLE SIZES:
LARGE - Edition Size: 12
- Image: 56" x 79" (143 x 201 cm)
- Framed: 67" x 90" (171 cm x 229 cm)
STANDARD - Edition Size: 12
- Image: 37" x 52" (94 x 133)
- Framed: 48" x 63" (122 x 160 cm)
We ship worldwide and use a multitude of providers to safely deliver your artwork. Domestic delivery and installation may also be available via Hilton Contemporary’s private art shuttle. Please inquire.