ENDANGERED: Art4Apes is delighted to announce that Prelena Soma Owen is our June 2022 Photography Virtual Artist in Residence
Congratulations to Prelena Soma Owen for becoming our June 2022 Photography Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
About
Prelena is a South African-born Indian, female, wildlife photographer whose love for Nature started at a very young age but growing up in apartheid SA put game reserves out of her reach. It was only in her late 20’s that she discovered the magic of the wild when she had her first encounter with an elephant. Since then, she has traveled widely to follow her passion while holding down a corporate job.
Her interest in wildlife photography was sparked a few years ago and since then her popularity and recognition have grown and have been recognized on global platforms. She has been placed and won several competitions both locally and internationally.
She has her Masters in environmental science and corporate strategy and uses photography as a conservation communication tool. Through her book, Echoes of the Wild she hopes to share the beauty and fragility of nature and to inspire photographic talent, especially in disadvantaged communities. Profits are shared between conservation organizations she supports. She uses her images to raise funds for conservation causes.
In her spare time, she mentors young black photographers, volunteers her photographic skills to conservation organizations, teaches photography, does ad hoc guiding on photographic safari tours, and gives talks about photography and the importance of conservation. She has done two photo/conservation-related projects with a school in the UK.
Prelena Soma Owen © 2022 Prelena Soma Owen. All Rights Reserved.
She concentrates her photographic efforts on endangered and threatened species and hopes that her audiences appreciate the wonder and beauty of these amazing creatures, enough to inspire them to reach out and make a difference. She believes that sustainability should be at the heart of everything we do.
She volunteers at the Jane Goodall Institute is South Africa which lead her to discover the great work that other accredited sanctuaries do, including The Center for Great Apes which is the beneficiary of the proceeds of the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest, the objectives of which resonated with her personal beliefs. Her winning images showcased Rhinos and Elephants. She has donated her images to help raise funds for the sanctuary and hopes that other artists will follow this trend.
Current Work
Prelena recently watch a short documentary on TV in South Africa about a veterinarian in Lagos, Nigeria who mainly self-funds his pangolin conservation efforts. Two months later she boarded a plane to Nigeria to meet with this remarkable gentleman and his assistant. She hopes to raise awareness about his efforts through her photography.
Artist Message
Prelena quotes Dr. Jane Goodall in her message to photographers and artists: “What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.” She encourages others to use their cameras to take evocative images and tell the stories that need to be told and to use platforms such as competitions to bring those stories to a global audience. We are at that critical point where everyone needs to take up guardianship of the planet.
ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 Submissions
Beauty is in the Eye. Photograph © 2021 Prelena Soma Owen. All Rights Reserved.
Comfort. Photograph © 2021 Prelena Soma Owen. All Rights Reserved.
When Darkness Falls. Photograph © 2021 Prelena Soma Owen. All Rights Reserved.
See more of Prelena’s work below:
The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist and photographer who have submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest and have been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com