Anna Beeke’s Sylvania Series
In her Sylvania series, photographer Anna Beeke captures the mystical and cinematic atmosphere of U.S. woodlands, particularly in Washington state. Her work features woodcutters reminiscent of paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the haunting remains of felled trunks, and gothic ferns thriving amidst the dense growths of red cedar and western hemlock. Beeke’s exploration of the woods alludes to the numerous fables surrounding shadowy or enchanted forests, highlighting them as places where humans venture beyond the boundaries of civilization.
Capturing Nature at Work
Beeke’s photography showcases the awe-inspiring Tree of Life, a massive spruce that has become a prominent landmark at Kalaloch on the Pacific shoreline in Washington state. Remarkably, the roots of this majestic tree span two banks of a cliff. The photo offers a fairy-tale composition of subdued organic tones punctuated by vivid instances of humanity, as two children explore the edges of the bluff.
Looking at Trees: New Photography of Trees, Forests & Woodlands
Anna Beeke’s series is featured in Looking at Trees: New photography of trees, forests & woodlands by Sophie Howarth. This compilation presents the works of 26 artists capturing arboreal treasures across various locations such as Iceland, Germany, Brazil, and Australia. Howarth emphasizes that these photographers, drawing inspiration from science, folklore, and mythology, guide viewers away from the pressures of modern life and into a timeless world where nature envelops and absorbs them. Beeke’s photograph of the children navigating the peculiar coastal canopy exemplifies this captivating absorption by nature.
Immersive Experience
The children featured in Beeke’s shot are depicted winding their way through the peculiar coastal canopy, appearing completely absorbed and enveloped by the captivating surroundings.
Documentary on Arboreal Wonders
The featured series is part of a larger documentary on arboreal wonders, capturing the mesmerizing beauty and enchanting allure of forests and woodlands around the world.
