ETERNAL CONQUEST:​ ​the​ ​human invasion​ ​of​ ​landscape

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Cobar Open-Cut Mine, 2017NSW, AustraliaShot on Hasselblad 500CMPortra 400 Film © Marcelle Bradbeer - Murray Sunset- National Park, 2017VIC, Australia © Marcelle Bradbeer - Serpentine Lookout (Death Valley National Park), 2020CA, U.S.A View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2017 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Landscape, Contemporary Issues
  • Locations Australia, United States, Iceland, Norway
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Marcelle Bradbeer's​ “ETERNAL CONQUEST:​ ​the​ ​human invasion​ ​of​ ​landscape” depicts our species’ incessant need to inhabit and occupy space. As a landscape photographer this occupied space consequently is the natural landscape - its sublime and pristine otherness invaded by man-made artefacts.

Marcelle Bradbeer's ongoing project​ “ETERNAL CONQUEST:​ ​the​ ​human invasion​ ​of​ ​landscape” depicts our species’ incessant need to inhabit and occupy space. As a landscape photographer this occupied space consequently is the natural landscape - its sublime and pristine otherness invaded by man-made artefacts.

By​ ​focussing​ ​on the​ ​human​ ​element​ ​in​ ​nature,​ Bradbeer is ​questioning​ ​the​ ​existence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​pristine​ ​environment​ and diverting​ ​the​ ​viewer’s​ ​gaze​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​conventional​ ​aesthetics​ ​of​ ​landscape​ ​photography towards​ ​the​ ​reality​ ​of​ ​contemporary​​ ​landscape​ ​altered​ ​by​ ​human​ ​impact. This invasion of natural space​ ​represents the human need to conquer - our suffocating tendency to leave nothing untouched and mark our territory.

Bradbeer utilise​s ​a landscape’s​ ​innate​ ​beauty​ ​to​ ​illustrate​ ​the​ ​relationship​ ​between​ ​humans​ ​and​ ​nature​ ​and​ ​entice​ ​the viewer​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​with​ ​the​ ​work’s​ ​narrative. Her use of vivid​ ​colour​ ​and​ ​delicate​ ​composition depict​s ​scenes​ ​of​ ​tranquility that at first glance might be mistaken as 'just a pretty picture' - an intended outward show of innocence that disguises its true meaning and critiquing essence in the subtext and challenges the viewer (in a gentle, subtle way) to look more closely.

Photography is a crucial tool for visually portraying the environmental issues at the forefront of our minds. Particularly in the current climate crisis it is easy for one to feel overwhelmed and powerless. This is where art plays a fundamental role in society - it communicates when words fail, non-verbally questions and critiques behaviours and policies and allows individual voices to be heard.

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Cobar Open-Cut Mine, 2017NSW, AustraliaShot on Hasselblad 500CMPortra 400 Film
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Cobar Open-Cut Mine, 2017 NSW, Australia Shot on Hasselblad 500CM Portra 400 Film

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Murray Sunset- National Park, 2017VIC, Australia
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Murray Sunset- National Park, 2017 VIC, Australia

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Serpentine Lookout (Death Valley National Park), 2020CA, U.S.A
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Serpentine Lookout (Death Valley National Park), 2020 CA, U.S.A

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Salmon Ring, 2018Norway
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Salmon Ring, 2018 Norway

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Lucky No.7 (Queenstown), 2018TAS, Australia
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Lucky No.7 (Queenstown), 2018 TAS, Australia

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Lake Eildon Powerlines, 2017VIC, Australia
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Lake Eildon Powerlines, 2017 VIC, Australia

© Marcelle Bradbeer - --- was here, 2018Nordland, NorwayShot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro IIExpired Fujifilm NPS 160 film
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--- was here, 2018 Nordland, Norway Shot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro II Expired Fujifilm NPS 160 film

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Krafla Geothermal Power Plant, 2019Mývatn, IcelandShot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro IIPortra 160 Film
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Krafla Geothermal Power Plant, 2019 Mývatn, Iceland Shot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro II Portra 160 Film

© Marcelle Bradbeer - Zig Zag Road, 2018Møre og Romsdal, NorwayShot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro IIExpired Fujifilm NPS 160 film
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Zig Zag Road, 2018 Møre og Romsdal, Norway Shot on Mamiya RZ67 Pro II Expired Fujifilm NPS 160 film

ETERNAL CONQUEST:​ ​the​ ​human invasion​ ​of​ ​landscape by Marcelle Bradbeer

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