I see the connection between humans and animals is one of the most fundamental, but sometimes invisible, bonds that human beings experience. Animals and Children captivates me.
Children seem to have a magical affinity with animals and I see parallels in their worlds. This series is inspired by my love and fascination in trying to understand and explore this special, yet little understood relationship between children and animals in confinement.
Every time I press my shutter, I ponder on the mysteries of this relationship. In a way, are these kids perhaps peeking into their future as adults, when their minds and thoughts will be held captive to society. Will they look inwards, and break free of the shackles of their mind? In contrast, are the animals looking out from the bars, urging them to perhaps look in, and make a difference in the well-being of their lives…etc.
I hope to continue to explore this powerful yet vulnerable relationship over the next few years, across many animals and children. My goal is to produce a book of this series, and exhibit in galleries proceeds of which will benefit an animal sanctuary.
About Meera Sulaiman
Meera Sulaiman, a Srilankan born Canadian, is an internationally acclaimed photographic artist who masterfully uses her craft to advocate for the voiceless and support conservation efforts. Through her lens, she captures stories untold, sparking dialogues about the urgent need for wildlife and nature preservation.
Meera’s work has earned international acclaim, featuring in exhibitions in London, Moscow, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Her work has featured in prestigious publications such as BBC Wildlife, CBC Canada, Feature Shoot, Zoom Italia Magazine, Business Insider, National Geography, Canadian Geography, Inside Halton, and Brampton Guardian. She is also a recipient of multiple awards including Bird Photographer of the Year, International Photographer Awards(IPA), Px3 Paris, Tokyo, and Moscow Photography Awards.
Her primary focus remains the use of her imagery to foster conservation efforts and advocate for the voiceless, channeling her passion for nature into her artwork and initiatives. She dreams of a world where nature preservation is a universally shared value and sees visual storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire people to protect the natural world.
Meera’s style, rather than being defined by rigid artistic constraints, is fluid and transformative, adapting to the narrative she wishes to portray. Her visual narratives strike a chord, forging an emotional connection with audiences that transcends the conventional appreciation of aesthetics. For her, each snapshot is a piece of a larger narrative–a dialogue about the symbiosis between humanity and nature and the critical need for its preservation.
At the core of Meera’s artistry and advocacy is a vision for the future where every individual cherishes and actively contributes to nature preservation. To that end, she leverages her platform and art, raising funds for wildlife and nature conservation, as well as children’s organizations. Beyond her photographic pursuits, Meera is also a gifted communicator and educator. She employs these skills to impart the importance of nature, wildlife, and conservation to audiences worldwide, through workshops, exhibits, and presentations. [Official Website]
