General Entry - Series

Voices In The Wilderness explores land and identity through the people and places of Lasqueti – a remote, off-the-grid island located off of Canada's west coast. This photographic project seeks to engage with an audience in further understanding an existence that is closely tied to nature and the resources it provides. Many may perceive Lasqueti as an idyllic utopia, a place where one can escape from the social order of the modern world. However, it’s much more complex than that. With a modest population of only 350, the island can be seen as a microcosm of society, with a wide diversity of people from nomads and draft dodgers to young families and solitary retirees. Its residents create their own electricity using alternative sources of power, including solar, wind and micro-hydro. And although traditional currency is exchanged for goods and services, most islanders have adopted a system of work-trade and bartering. Though many come from different backgrounds, almost all of these people share the challenges of living in a remote off-grid community. Through their physical, emotional and spiritual interactions with the island, many have gained a deeper understanding of the natural world and how its resources can be used to create a self sustainable economy. Voices In The Wilderness presents an interpretive and engaging dialogue around what it means to be connected to the land.