DISCOVERING THE HORSES OF SABLE ISLAND
JUNE 23 BEDFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6-8:30PM BEDFORD, NY
In June, 2012, I traveled to the narrow, crescent-shaped ribbon of sand and rock off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, known as Sable Island. Often called the ‘graveyard of the Atlantic’ due to its history of shipwreck, the remote Island is home to little more than the herd of 400 wild horses that roam freely over the island’s 26 rugged miles.
Using the island’s rolling, shifting dunes and abundant fog as a canvas, I sought to uncover Sable’s singular treasures and to encounter these powerful animals on their own terms. Focusing on form, musculature, and movement, and embracing the condi- tions of the ever-changing landscape, Sable tells a story about the power and beauty of the horse.
The strength of these horses is evident in their form and in their movements. Depicted in these photographs is the physicality of the horses and their movements as they relate to one another within their social hierarchy, but also the progress of time.
The resulting body of work captures the sometimes difficult realities of the island and offers a portrait of the relationship between these horses and the environment that supports them.
Drew Doggett has made a name for himself in the documentary and fine art world with his photography of some of the planet’s most unique and isolated indigenous cultures.
His 2009 solo trip to the isolated Himalayan area of Humla, Nepal, resulted in a book, Slow Road to China, and six gallery exhibitions in New York, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Omo: Expressions of a People, a collection of photographs from Ethiopia, is the second of several expeditions Doggett has planned as part of this ten-year project.
Trained in fashion photography, Doggett creates images that capture a larger, perhaps classical, idea of beauty—one that speaks to worlds beyond the immediate context of his subjects. His photography of these traditional communities encourages Western viewers of all ages to draw links between seemingly disparate cultures. The interaction of landscape and human physicality is a particular focus of his work.
Since 2009, Doggett has incorporated a philanthropic element into his artistic pursuits with Art Cares. Thanks to this non-profit project, proceeds from the book and fine art prints of Slow Road to China have already funded all operations at a health center in rural Nepal for a year.
In 2012, the Omo collection was accepted into the Smithsonian African Art Museum’s photographic archives.
Doggett’s fine art photography is on display in buildings and private collections around the world. He lives and works in New York City.
For a preview of the collection, please visit www.drewdoggett.com.
The Bedford Historical Society
Founded in 1916, the Bedford Historical Society is a non-profit, educational organization committed to preserving our historic Town and original Village Green, educating students of all ages and interpreting our collections for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
What we do for Bedford:
- Own and maintain 10 historic properties
- Preserve and exhibit collections of artifacts, documents and photographs at three museums
- Educate students about early life in historic Bedford with visits to our buildings around the Village Green
- Protect 95 acres with four historic conservation easements
- Celebrate our history and architecture through community events and programs
- Collaborate with the Town and other local groups to preserve and protect Bedford’s historic and scenic landscapes.
The Bedford Historical Society is located at 612 Old Post Road in Bedford, NY in the newly restored Bedford Store building. Here, we display artifacts, documents and photographs from our collections; provide information on Bedford’s history and current events and host educational programs. We also operate a small gift shop offering our publications, Bedford gifts and penny candy in the spirit of the building’s original use as a general store.
Please stop by our offices in The Bedford Store and visit when you are in the Village.
For more information: bedfordhistoricalsociety.org
