Glen Perotte has been photographing Jersey for a decade, mixing commercial work with his creative photographic projects. His ‘2020:A Year in Vision’ portrait exhibition saw him capture us islanders and his 2021 ‘Remnants of Life’ saw him turn his hand to hyper-detailed still life of dream-like plants. Building on that foundation, Glen got in shape both physically and mentally to take his work to a new level this year. His subject this time couldn’t be captured in Jersey, but only at the heady heights of Mount Kenya, where Glen had been captivated by the flora and fauna on a previous visit tow years before. The landscape is hauntingly beautiful.
Glen tells us “I wanted to explore the flora of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro and a uniquely special place. More than a visually striking landmark, Mount Kenya is steeped in spiritual significance, revered as a sacred site by East African communities and beyond. The mountain is seen as a divine presence, drawing people for prayer, meditation, and reflection”. The focus for him was the astonishing plant life that manages to take root in this volcanic and harsh landscape of thin air and rocky terrain, sometimes by banding together and at other times finding a small niche to settle in alone. “Strange, yet wonderfully captivating, these botanical wonders exhibit adaptations honed over millennia to survive the harsh mountain environment. From bizarrely shaped succulents clinging to rocky crevices to peculiar, other-worldly ferns thriving in mist-shrouded valleys, each species tells a tale of resilience and ingenuity”.
Exploring Mount Kenya’s botanical realm is akin to stepping into a science fiction landscape, where the boundaries of imagination blur with the wonders of reality, leaving one in awe of nature’s infinite diversity. Glen recalls, “Nearly two years ago, I made my first scouting trip to Kenya. The first climb up the mountain was tough, but the moment I encountered the unique flora, I felt an instant connection. I knew right then it would be the focal point for this new series”. You can see the series this month in an exhibition of the work, on display at CCA Galleries.
Glen Perotte | Mount Kenya’s Rooted Resilience
8th November – 7th December
CCA Galleries International
Sponsored by Baccata Trustees Ltd.