Our Time on Earth

Our Time on Earth by Tom Young is a visual narrative that explores the mystery, promise, and condition of human life in 2020, featuring 83 new photographs. It juxtaposes images of everyday life with apocalyptic scenes, creating an awareness of the deep interconnectedness of humans and their environment. The book questions how the traces we leave behind will reverberate as we move forward to future generations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2021
Publisher: George F. Thompson

"Our Time on Earth" by Tom Young is a profound and captivating exploration of the enigmatic, hopeful, and fragile nature of human existence on our planet in 2020. Presented in a stunning collection of eighty-three new photographs, meticulously curated into thematic sections, Young offers a visual narrative that simultaneously evokes the apocalyptic realities of contemporary life while holding out a glimmer of reverential hope for a better world.

Through a diverse range of images, spanning from the intricate details of a molded snow globe to the vast expanse of a churning ocean, and from the haunting presence of steam emanating from a nuclear power plant to the serene tranquility of a goat resting in a freshly dug grave, Young takes the reader on an epic journey. Within these photographs, one encounters the profound silence of nature, the vibrant human tapestry amidst the overwhelming power of water, and the awe-inspiring beauty of water frozen in icy stillness.

At the same time, "Our Time on Earth" also uncovers unsettling aspects of the human mosaic within the ordinary spaces of everyday life. From abandoned school buses nestled within vast mined landscapes to collapsing buildings shaped like majestic cats, these images serve as poignant reminders of the transient nature of human endeavors and the impact we have on our environment.

In Tom Young's artistic universe, juxtaposition weaves a narrative, while the precise rendering of a moment in time speaks to the profound mystery of creation and the unwavering dedication of a photographer in pursuit of understanding a complex world. As curator Aprile Gallant aptly observes in her insightful essay, "The images build upon the other, veering from macro to micro, from vegetable, animal, and mineral to welded, constructed, and manufactured... The aggregate of viewing is an awareness of the deep interconnectedness of humans and their environment, a drama that plays out in equally beneficial and devastating ways."

"Our Time on Earth" playfully acknowledges the notion that human actions on our planet can be fleeting and ephemeral. It serves as a poignant reminder that our time here is limited, and that we must cherish and protect the fragile balance of our ecosystems and the communities we inhabit. Through his lens, Young invites us to reflect on our role in shaping the world and to embrace the responsibility that comes with our existence.

In conclusion, "Our Time on Earth" by Tom Young is a remarkable testament to the power of photography to capture the essence of human experience and the profound interconnectedness of our world. Through his expansive collection of photographs, Young offers a visual narrative that sparks contemplation, inspires hope, and reminds us of the urgent need to preserve and protect our planet for future generations.

Weight: 1808g
Dimension: 318 x 318 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781938086779