Arctic Souls

Arctic Souls explores the inherent beauty and vulnerability of the Arctic’s most emblematic inhabitants: the polar bear, the Arctic fox and the Arctic hare. This triptych emphasises their grace and nobility by presenting them as classical portraits.
Despite the apparent photorealism, they are in fact high-fidelity digital constructions presented in an interactive screen. Using a technique Dominic Harris has developed over the past decade to a hyper-real level of intricate detail and simulation, the animals respond to the movements of an approaching viewer.
Each portrait captures the creature’s essence in infancy. Fluffy white coats embody the purity of an idealised Arctic habitat, while inquisitive eyes and furtive stances highlight their adaptability and resilience. The stark black background focuses the viewer’s gaze.
By choosing to show animals outside their natural environment, Harris reveals the individuality of each. He shows them as beings with distinct personalities and experiences, rather than mere symbols of their species. It is also a poignant call to preserve the ecosystems they live in for generations to come.

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