Gareth Phillips' Photobook Sculpture Caligo Explores Climate Migration Through Sci-Fi Narrative
The 2023 Aesthetica Art Prize has shortlisted Gareth Phillips' photobook, Caligo. This horizontal seven-metre artwork narrates a fictional tale of humanity escaping climate catastrophe to inhabit an extraterrestrial world. Created in 2017 during his time with artist Ling Ang in Australia, the story draws inspiration from science fiction cinema and the landscapes of New Zealand's South Island. Phillips, who began his photography journey in the early 2000s and studied documentary photography at the University of Wales, Newport, started working with photobooks in 2006, transitioning to installations by 2013. He perceives climate change as a pressing concern for contemporary artists. Phillips plans to start a PhD at University of Arts London and will release a new handheld photobook in autumn 2024. Caligo has been showcased at York Museum and LeNeuf Gallery in Paris.
Key facts
- Gareth Phillips' photobook sculpture Caligo was shortlisted for the 2023 Aesthetica Art Prize.
- The seven-metre work tells a fictional story of humans escaping climate catastrophe to colonize an alien planet.
- Phillips developed the concept in 2017 while in Australia and New Zealand, inspired by sci-fi films.
- He creates both large-scale installations and handheld versions of his photobook sculptures.
- Phillips began his photography career documenting skateboarding and surfing in the early 2000s.
- He studied documentary photography at the University of Wales, Newport.
- Phillips is starting a practice-led PhD at University of Arts London with Professor Paul Lowe.
- He will collaborate with Italian artist Giorgia Fiorio on a project in 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Gareth Phillips
- Ling Ang
- Giorgia Fiorio
- Cherie Federico
- Paul Lowe
Institutions
- Aesthetica Art Prize
- University of Wales, Newport
- University of Arts London
- York Museum
- LeNeuf Gallery
- Swansea College of Art, UWTSD
- Aesthetica Magazine
Locations
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Island
- Paris
- France
- London
- United Kingdom
- York
- Swansea
- Wales