Having to decide an overall winner from our four fantastic semi-finalists was no easy feat, but we feel that Chris Fallows’ ‘Air Jaws’, is truly deserving of the winning title.
Western Cape, South Africa (30 October 2020) – Cape Town-based photographer Chris Fallows has scooped the coveted Global Eye Award during this year’s STARTnet Fair at the Saatchi Gallery in London.
His winning submission is titled ‘Air Jaws’, which captures a Great White Shark breaching the surface of the ocean. The image forms part of Chris’ limited edition body of works called ‘The Eleventh Hour’. Eleven of his works are black and white, depicting what he has seen and the pressures so many animals face, while the final image is a magnificent colour image of two of Africa’s icons standing side by side — a bull elephant and a huge fig tree — a symbol of hope and a call for change.
“We received an overwhelming number of entries from artists living and working all around the globe for the 2020 Global Eye Award, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to experience all these amazing artworks,” said Founder and Chairman of STARTnet and the Global Eye Programme, David Ciclitira. The award-winning submission was announced on Sunday.
“Having to decide an overall winner from our four fantastic semi-finalists was no easy feat, but we feel that Chris Fallows’ ‘Air Jaws’, is truly deserving of the winning title.”
Fallows’ image was chosen for the powerful and important message it carries in a world ever increasingly moving towards a greater awareness of sustainability.
“What a great honour that I am truly proud of especially considering the incredible talent of my fellow artists. I am particularly grateful for the chance to share the magnificence of the iconic creatures we share our planet with and hope this further elevates the cause to learn to exist alongside them. It is indeed gratifying that Fine Art Wildlife Photography has been so well received.|” says Fallows.
“We’re highly visual creatures, and it is a well-known fact that a strong connection between visual imagery and empathy exists; as humans, we need to see something with our own eyes to care about it. Each of the 12 works presented in The Eleventh Hour conveys a message, and I hope they help to spread awareness on wildlife conservation issues and ignite conversations around this.”