On Ronan Donovan’s website, the National Geographic wildlife photographer and videographer strategically places a quote from environmentalist and writer Rachel Carson: “Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.”
Donovan himself strives to “mend the rift between modern humans and the more than human world,” he writes, because through family bonds, similar survival challenges and ancient behaviors, man and animal are no so far apart.
Through his works, he continues, “I’ve felt more aliveness, more connection, more grief and love, and a felt sense of my place amongst my fellow humans.”
Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan, curated by the National Geographic Society, debuts this weekend at the James Museum of Wildlife Art. It is a collection of images from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and Ellesmere Island in the high Canadian Arctic.
“I’m excited for Wolves to bring a new perspective to our wildlife storytelling at The James,” said Chief Curator Emily Kapes. “Donovan captured wolf life and group dynamics like we haven’t seen before. Wolves are absolutely enchanting and complex creatures. This show combines storytelling, science, history, and gorgeous imagery.”
Wolves, Donovan says in a promotional video accompanying the exhibit, “are more complicated than just what you learn about in fairy tales. Everything they do in life is for their pack. It’s my hope that we can learn how to co-exist.”
Wild wolves in North America are under constant threat because of extreme wolf-control laws, and humans increasingly shrink the animals’ natural ranges and food sources.
“The way that a culture views wolves can reveal a lot about how a society interacts with their environment,” Donovan said. “Is there a belief of power over animals, or is there a collective shared landscape?
“As a visual storyteller, my goal is to portray my subjects in their most authentic way by showing the challenges they face as well as the tender moments between family members.”
Donovan will attend Friday’s opening reception at the James Museum, 6-8 p.m. His Saturday Artist Talk is sold out.
Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan will be on view through Sept. 7.
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