Bison Oil and Gas (Colour)
West Texas – 2025
“Slightly unintentionally, this tableau greedily features four of the most emblematic symbols of 20th century Americana: the bison; the cowboy; the Ford Model T and oil derricks. Each have played their role in the growth of the country and in ensuring that the American dream has legs.
This photograph was taken in a boom oil town site we built in West Texas, which is appropriate as the vast Permian Basin is one of the reasons why America is self-sufficient. The Permian alone looks after 20% of American daily oil demand.
For over 100 years now, the oil industry has been at the heart of the economic success of Texas and anyone with a modicum of common sense knows that this is unequivocally something to celebrate. I am delighted that Taylor Sheridan did exactly this, in his own inimitable way, with his highly watchable series Landman.
The history of the oil industry, and the history of the world in the last 140 years, are difficult to decouple; it remains the world’s most important commodity and the character rich industry is often played out in some of the world’s more off beat locations. That is why we are drawn to it with our storytelling, there is a rich amount of material, especially if we go back in time and make it a period production.
The bison has, of course, also played a major role in American history. There have been some dicey moments for this mammal in the West, but all is now good and I thought it would be a fun prop to include on set. Bizarrely we have got to know a very charming guy in Denver who owns a business called Bison Oil and Gas – so we were left with no choice for the name of this photograph.“
-David Yarrow
Available Sizes
Large - Edition of 12 + 3 AP
- Image Size: 45” x 103" in (114 cm x 262 cm)
- Framed Image: 60” x 118” in (152 cm x 300 cm)
Standard - Edition of 12 + 3 AP
- Image Size: 34” x 77” in (86 cm x 196 cm)
- Framed Image: 49” x 92” in (124 cm x 134 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.
No Time to Kill
Alaskan North Slope – 2025
“Almost all my decent work with polar bears has been taken in flat or low light. When we travel to the extreme locations where bear encounters are likely, there
is an acceptance that we must simply work with whatever weather we are given; it’s not as if we are there to do anything else. These locations tend to be light
on optionality and patience and a few downloaded Paramount TV shows are a necessity. These assignments are not for people who get restless or need comfort.
Poor light pushes camera capability to the edge and ultimately reduces the margin of error in critical moments. This moment was one of those, as the polar
bear was coming right towards me and carried a proper menace.
Polar bears “pop” in an image more than any other mammal I know because of their white coats. If those white coats are then highlighted by sunlight, it can all be a bit much and visually it often does not work.
This photograph, which I took recently on the Alaskan North Slope, works, not only because of the murky weather, but also because the bear’s head position serves to highlight the bulk that comes behind it. This is a big boy and this was the very last frame I took before I had tomove. A ground up camera position is so important, but with that goes a need to always put safety first.
I was up in the arctic for a few days and took fewer than two dozen photographs. That’s the way it is up there. Less is more.“
-David Yarrow
Available Sizes
Large - Edition of 12 + 3 AP
- Image Size: 43” x 103" in (109 cm x 262 cm)
- Framed Image: 58” x 118” in (147 cm x 300 cm)
Standard - Edition of 12 + 3 AP
- Image Size: 32” x 77” in (81 cm x 196 cm)
- Framed Image: 47” x 92” in (119 cm x 134 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.
