Who Am I ?

What Do I Value ?

Zabriskie Point #3 - Project, Stray From The Path

“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”

Brené Brown - Author of Daring Greatly

Hi

Happy New Year. I hope you enjoyed the festive break and were able to give time to your friends, family, and most importantly, yourselves.

I found time to read a little over the break, and took a lot from the book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport - it offers many ideas and thoughts on how we connect in the digital age, being online having positive as well as negative impacts on us.

We’re part of a vast network, from our cells to the stars, and finding genuine as opposed to superficial connection remains a vital human need. So in 2026 my hope is to create more tangible connections.

It’s only when we’re harmoniously connected with ourselves, each other, and our environments that we truly flower. I see this in my best self, socially I see this in my wider community, and as an artist it’s in my most creative and meaningful work.

This first newsletter of the year shares a little more around connection as well as a fresh introduction to me and my practice, what I value, and how I create.

Enjoy.

---

About Me

I’m a contemporary artist whose work explores land, communities, and the relationship between humans and nature.

I was born in the UK, though my parents immigrated and raised my brother and I, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Myself and my brother Paul on the beach. Cape Town, South Africa.

---

My formative years were spent in this beautiful yet troubled country as it transitioned and dismantled its apartheid regime, revealing truths and reconciling its past - led by the inspired leadership of Nelson Mandela. This significant moment of transition impacted how I viewed inequality and social justice, it shaped who I would become, and is a visible thread in my work as an artist today.

The stories that I now explore are woven out of research, fluid conversation and collaboration. My meditative practice involves deep listening and being attuned to the varying voices and threads of a story.

“Stewarding story” refers to the practice of treating stories with respect and care, often involving active listening and trust building - this is how I intentionally approach storytelling.

My work considers landscapes and the people who inhabit them, revealing this complex relationship through a combination of intimate detail and sweeping panorama. I’ve been led around the world whilst collaborating and sharing stories, from the deserts of North America and South-American rainforests to the Arctic Circle and the Highlands of Scotland.

Since its foundation, I’ve worked closely with the charity If Not Us Then Who, producing a body of work that highlights the role Indigenous Peoples play in protecting our planet, as well as mentoring young artists with their practices - artists from Indigenous, Afro Descendant and Local Communities. This thread of work and the learnings connected have significantly impacted my relationship with the natural world and community.

I regularly reflect on my work, and embrace life long learning. I strive to maintain a softness and openness around collaboration, discussion, and tracking positive shifts in my ever evolving practice.

---

My Aesthetic

I’m a visual storyteller, creating social documentary work with a quiet, considered, calm, and fine art aesthetic. The work connects with audiences initially and has a further depth, which is revealed as we look more closely at the storied images and wider narrative.

My work has been shared editorially, in exhibitions, and sometimes commercially. Across all these platforms my style and aesthetic remain apparent as a photographic artist.

Much of this work exists online via my site, plus many more images are available through my archive. I can tailor pdf’s to support those looking to commission editorially, for exhibition, print sales, or for commercial assignments. I welcome all enquiries, and am open to collaborations and commissions.

Resistance - Editorial, Icarus Complex Magazine.

Stray From The Path - Exhibition, Several States across the US.

Commercial Assignments

---

The Year Ahead

I started introducing some better habits around late November last year, habits that would help me personally as well as creatively. I guess I was giving myself a good run at a set of decent new years resolutions. In truth it doesn’t matter when you do this, even though the new year feels like it brings a certain shift in momentum. It’s also this time of year that I hold onto the fact the winter solstice has just passed and although it’s really cold right now, our days are getting that little longer every 24 hours.

Branscombe - Project, Listen To Your Song.

---

I’m aiming to try monthly resolutions this year or more likely re-evaluating my trajectory and path each month, perhaps this will give me a better chance of maintaining my new habits and achieving what I hope to.

“Digital Minimalism - A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimised activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.”

Cal Newport - Author of Digital Minimalism

The book Digital Minimalism and some surprising will power has kept me offline these last 3 to 4 weeks. Just recently I’ve started going back online intentionally to support in moments where being in these spaces could bring value. It seems endlessly scrolling doesn’t count as the book mentions.

One of my intentions is to publish this Newsletter on a monthly basis. I appreciate how it feels more thoughtful and a slower antidote to social media.

Beyond this I hope to create better connections. Meeting, working, and creating with people in person, reaching out and making calls - hearing from people. As more and more of our lives are being pulled online, it’s crazy to think that being offline could somehow feel revolutionary.

So I’ll look forward to connecting more through the year with you all, and seeing where that journey leads. Feel free to reach out, make enquires, suggest collaborations or propose commissions.

Here’s to a beautiful year ahead.

Speak soon Joel : )