Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, Until 11 October

The Australian National Maritime Museum brings the internationally acclaimed ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ exhibition to Sydney with a showcase of 100 spectacular images of some of the most fascinating creatures that inhabit the natural world.

In sync with our current global concerns for the environment these photographic representations portray the beauty and wonder that exists in nature and reminds us of our responsibility to protect our amazing but fragile planet and the often unseen inhabitants of the animal kingdom that co-exist in our oceans, forests, deserts and jungles, as well as those that inhabit urban and other built landscapes.

Noting the longevity and importance of the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ exhibition as a global platform to ignite discussion and encourage forward thinking, Dr Tim Littlewood, Director of Science at the Natural History Museum and competition judge said, “For more than fifty years this competition has attracted the world’s very best photographers, naturalists and young photographers, but there has never been a more important time for audiences all over the world to experience their work in our inspiring and impactful exhibition. Photography has a unique ability to spark conversation, debate and even action. We hope this year’s exhibition will empower people to think differently about our planet and our critical role in its future.” 

The awe-inspiring wildlife images on display in the exhibition’s 55^th iteration were selected for their engaging narrative, originality and technical skill from a phenomenal 48,000 entries across 100 countries.

Among the works are two submissions by Australian photographers Wayne Jones and Justin Gilligan, both nominated as Highly Commended. Jones’ composition is a wildly captivating image of fun under the sea, which has recorded a juvenile argonaut (an alien-like looking creature from the octopus family) hitching a ride on a brightly coloured jellyfish. While marine scientist and photojournalist, Gilligan’s, photograph explores the conflicting notions of abundance or pest of one of Australia’s most recognised symbols, the kangaroo, with an aerial shot.
 
Audiences will find themselves immersed in a curious world of exotic wildlife from close-up portraits of black eyed spiders to intense moments of life or death between teeth bearing mammal and predator, luminous solo fish and squid floating about on dark ocean waters sporting vivid colours of the rainbow, a drove of wild ass trekking over desert landscapes blanketed in snow, and amphibious reptiles scuttling their way over golden sands. All 100 works are on loan from the Natural History Museum in London.

Through the captivating lens of photography, this world-wide touring exhibition showcases magnificent interpretations of the world around us by professional and budding wildlife photographers. The ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ exhibition aims to engage us in the field of photography and draw our attention to the sublime goings on in the natural world, while also seeking to encourage more harmonious relationships with nature.

This is a family-friendly ticketed event on at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour foreshore Sydney from 5 March to 11 October. Visit the website to purchase tickets and view open times. ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.