Page 19 - The Noise September 2016

dAVid edWArdS:
diScOVery ThrOUGh PhOTOGrAPhy
T he first time I saw a photograph by David Edwards was several years ago while on a First Friday ArtWalk with Mom. We wandered into his downtown Flagstaff studio gallery just off Heritage Square. I was instantly arrested by the dynamism of one of his most iconic images: a massive eagle with wings outstretched, either taking off or landing on the arm of a Kazakh Eagle Hunter. (My guess is the eagle is landing because of how completely outstretched the wings are.) The landscape behind the man and eagle is equally dramatic. The hunter is high up on horseback atop a lichened covered outcropping of rock at the very edge of a cliff with a vast stretch of billowing cloud above and the hard-edged, sloping an- gles of mountainous country below. The photo pretty much screams National Geographic, and with good reason. In September of 1999, Mr. Edward’s story of the Kazakh Eagle Hunt-
ers of Western Mongolia appeared in National Geographic Magazine to critical acclaim.
Mr. Edwards has been a freelance photographer, photojournalist and expedition guide for over 30 years. He travels extensively throughout the world, documenting native cul- tures and has focused his photographic efforts particularly in China and Mongolia. He still regularly guides small groups on horseback treks through wild and untamed regions. When we spoke by phone I also learned of his vast knowledge regarding the history of horse breeds from all around the world. He spoke at length about the Mongolian horse, which is one of the strongest and most surefooted of horse breeds; and explained that
even some Antarctic expeditions used Mongolian horses instead of sled dogs.
In another image from the collection of “Kazakh Eagle Hunters,” there is a man sitting calmly on the back of a small horse in full gallop. The man’s expression looks relaxed and completely at ease while an eagle rests on his right arm. Both man and eagle look as though they could be sitting still, but all four of the horse’s hooves are off the ground; and it is clear they are moving at great speed. When I mentioned the short stature of the horse in this image, Mr. Edwards says they tend to be on the small side, around 14 hands high, but are still capable of carrying a man of his 6’ 3” height.
While spending time in Mongolia, Mr. Edwards witnessed first-hand some of the hard- ships its poorest citizens contend with. In 1993, Mr. Edwards founded what then was called The Mongolian orphans Association in an effort to give back to the society and people who had given him so much. In 2000, the foundation was renamed the Flagstaff Inter- national relief Effort to reflect the growing scope of the project. The initial goal of the project was to deliver aid directly into the hands of those who needed it most without middlemen. FIRE has since expanded into public health work and continues to be a force for good in the region. To learn more, FIREProjects.org
“Photography isn’t usually about discovery.” Mr. Edwards admits that more often than not, photographers are told what to photograph, either as a commission or as an assign- ment to fit a story. He prefers projects of discovery, where he doesn’t know for sure what he will find when he gets there. This is part of the draw of his ongoing travel and the impetus behind his newest adventure. At the moment, he is in the planning stages for a new project to research the origins of the American Cowboy in Cuba. He will be working with famed cowboy poet Gail steiger and fellow photographer Amy Martin on the project. For more information, DavidEdwards.PhotoShelter.com
A selection of Mr. Edwards’ photographs are part of a joint show at Brandy’s restaurant & Bakery this autumn, along with Flagstaff painter and muralist sky Black. Messrs. Edwards & Black previously showed their work together at this location in 2015, and the photogra- pher plans to show images from Mongolia, Tibet and Grand Canyon. The show will run from September 6 through November 1, 2016. For details, BrandysRestaurant.com
by Jen TUrrell
19 • {www.thenoise.us} SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE BEST OF ARIZONA | the Nöísẽ