HARSH REALITY

Art&Culture, Photography, Publications

Photographer Ragnar Axelsson documents the icy future of Greenland’s hardest working professionals.

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HARSH REALITY

WORDS BY Jonny Clowes

We all know sled dogs don’t have it easy. If you’ve ever watched Disney’s Eight Below or read Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, or gone on a mushing adventure, you’ll know they contend for some of the hardest-working professionals out there. Not only are they in charge of hauling loads at high speeds, their ‘office’ is frozen tundra. Sled dogs’ herculean capabilities have made them an integral part of polar communities for more than 4,000 years. But, with climate change quickly threatening their job security, their historical existence is melting as fast as the sheets of ice they so nimbly glide across.

Photographer Ragnar Axelsson’s new book, Artic Heroes, documents the this lives and increasing uncertainty these arctic heroes are facing. In 150+ arresting images, shot in Greenland over the last 35 years, high-contrast monochrome scenes depict an environment at once stunning and unforgiving; the textures of the terrain are palpable, and you can practically hear the icy wind thrashing through the harsh landscapes. The veteran Icelandic photographer uncovers a stark beauty in the brutality of their situation, making you stop in your tracks at every turn of the page. Focussing his lens on the dogs and their relation to the changing world around them, the series becomes a poignant tribute to the precious dedication these troopers have with their surroundings, and the humans who depend on them.

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All images courtesy of Ragnar Axelsson
Artic Heroes is published by Kehrer

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Art&Culture, Community, Design, Photography, Publications

DOG-FRIENDLY: TAKE THE LEAD

We are thrilled to introduce Dog-Friendly, a collection of city guides for dog-loving people, created together with our long-time contributor, photographer Winnie Au, and fellow enthusiasts, indie publisher Hoxton Mini Press. Available for purchase here.

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Art&Culture, Design, Publications

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August 25, 2020