WALK ON
WALK ON is Durham’s second-largest student-led fashion show, acting as a platform for emerging creative talent across photography, film, poetry, art and music. Running throughout the year, the project brings together a new creative team annually, with each edition centred around a different theme before culminating in a live fashion show. In 2022, the show raised £34,000 for climate charity Cool Earth.
As Head of Photography and Videography for the 2022 edition, 'Fear of the Sublime', I led the visual development of the project, producing and directing five photoshoots and video productions that explored the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Alongside overseeing headshots and event photography, I created a 10-minute short film to represent the wider themes of the show.
Written, directed and produced by myself, the film followed an abstract fictional narrative exploring the concept of finding connection and escape through nature. Shot across three days in locations throughout Durham and Yorkshire, the project brought together a range of creative disciplines to create a visual interpretation of the show’s theme.
The Nurture from Nature photoshoot (below) was the first to be released and formed part of a wider mental health campaign encouraging reconnection with the natural environment following the pandemic. Inspired by the idea of immersing oneself in nature and surrendering to moments of calm, the series explored the restorative relationship between people and their surroundings.
THE CREATIVE CAMPAIGN
i. fear of the sublime
This shoot was created for WALK ON’s Fear of the Sublime runway, one of four narratives exploring humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world. Alongside Biophilia, Protect and Destroy, the show examined the ways in which we are simultaneously connected to, dependent on and threatened by the environment around us.
Inspired by William Wordsworth’s The Prelude, Fear of the Sublime explores the transformation of nature from something beautiful and awe-inspiring into something overwhelming and uncontrollable. The shoot reflects this shift, capturing the tension between fascination and fear when faced with forces beyond our understanding.
This untold ontology is reflected in this shoot through use of projection. The images explore the idea of nature consuming the individual. The models are unaware of what is being projected onto them, yet the imagery surrounds and transforms their bodies. The resulting dark, shadowed compositions emphasise the uncertainty of the unknown and the unsettling power of the sublime.
'Uncertain, the world expands around us,
Grows, until we are nothing but shadows'
— Maiya Dambawinna
ii. destroy
Destroy explores the damaging relationship between humanity and the natural world, reflecting the consequences of pollution, deforestation and climate change. The shoot examines the impact of human intervention on the environment, presenting a vision of a world shaped by neglect and destruction.
Set within a dilapidated priory and using garments that appear torn and fragmented, the images create an atmosphere of decay and unease. Harsh, austere lighting and stark compositions were used to evoke a sense of discomfort, reflecting the emotional weight of our changing relationship with the planet.
The accompanying film expands on these ideas, following a group of figures who appear lost before briefly finding connection with one another. However, this moment of unity is disrupted as they become separated once again, leaving behind an empty and unresolved landscape. The ending reflects the fragility of our relationship with nature and the uncertainty of what follows if meaningful change is not made.
iii. protect
Protect presents a contrasting vision to Destroy, exploring the beauty, vibrancy and resilience of the natural world. Whilst Destroy reflects the damage caused by humanity’s relationship with the environment, this shoot focuses on preservation, connection and the importance of protecting what remains.
Rich, bold colours create a playful and energetic atmosphere, intentionally contrasting the muted, austere tones of Destroy. The use of a fisheye lens further distorts the images, warping perspective and transforming familiar environments into something surreal and dreamlike. This playful manipulation of scale and form reflects a renewed sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around us.
Protect: The Film expands on the themes of the shoot, drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland through its surreal imagery, unconventional compositions and playful approach to reality. Indeed, the 'tea party' reaches its apex once the characters realise the need to protect the plants that they are indulging in. This brief moment of consideration returns to normal and the characters exit the scene. Did they protect? Or did they forget?
iv. biophilia
Biophilia explores the innate human connection and affection towards the natural world, focusing on the relationship between people and the environments they inhabit. The shoot reflects this connection by positioning the models as part of the landscape itself, subsumed by the topography that birthed them.
The accompanying film begins with a sense of stillness, allowing the audience to observe and appreciate the natural environment before gradually shifting into moments of movement, joy and connection.
