James Lewin, Icons of Africa, 2023

18 x 26 in - Ed of 8
28 x 40 in - Ed of 8

James Lewin’s Icons of Africa (2023) is a masterful testament to the grandeur and vulnerability of the natural world. In this black-and-white photograph, a monumental elephant strides across the plains beneath the distant silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro, while a trio of eagles glides through the open sky. The composition unites earth, sky, and life in a delicate equilibrium, offering both an homage to Africa’s wild majesty and a meditation on its fragility.

Lewin’s meticulous framing evokes a timeless sense of reverence. The elephant, captured in exquisite detail — its textured skin, weathered tusks, and quiet presence — becomes an emblem of endurance and wisdom. Behind it, the snow-capped mountain looms ethereally, a symbol of permanence and ancient continuity. The circling eagles introduce motion and vitality, their wings echoing the natural rhythm of the savanna.

Rendered in monochrome, the image transcends the literal and enters the realm of the poetic. The absence of color strips the landscape to its essence: form, contrast, and light. Shadows ripple across the plains, and the soft gradation of tones creates a quiet luminosity that deepens the photograph’s spiritual quality.

Lewin’s practice, rooted in conservation and empathy, is evident in his ability to portray wildlife not as subjects of spectacle but as sentient beings in a shared ecosystem. Icons of Africa celebrates coexistence — a moment where creature, landscape, and atmosphere merge into a single, dignified presence.

In its stillness, Icons of Africa feels monumental. It is a visual hymn to the soul of the continent — a reminder that true power lies not in dominance, but in harmony, patience, and respect for the eternal cycles of life.