Gaze by Saskia Overzee & Amanda Butterworth

The ‘Ruckenfigur’ in the photos is Saskia’s mother and were taken by her father whilst hiking. Only recently and when seeing the images together did we realise how powerfull they are as a series. How Saskia’s parents enjoyed and appreciated nature effected the way Saskia looks at nature and how she inspires me to look. We hope this book inspires the reader to discover beauty in the mundane.SO&AB

Like a golden thread throughout the book you see photos of a figure taken from the back as we gaze over their shoulder onto a vast expanse of nature. The figure serves not only to place the viewer within the scene, but also to act as a means of understanding the grandiose scale of the environment.

With the figure acting as a surrogate for the viewer, one is able to see nature’s sublimity vicariously through their eyes. But nature’s beauty is by no means confined to the exceptional. It’s waiting to be discovered in the most unexpected and delightful of places, deserved of our precious attention.

There’s endless fascination hidden beneath the surface and as we open up our senses, it’s revealed to us when the pages are torn open. When this act is executed with care and patience it will give the book a new character and a beautiful tactile edge.

The theme of ‘gaze’, slowing down and looking with attention, is universal and a nice counterpoint in a time of an abundance of stimuli. This book inspires the reader to slow down and discover the beauty in the everyday.