'Physis' captures the elegance and simplicity of a vast and diverse landscape from a rarely experienced perspective. Some landscapes only become visible after you take off.

The waters and islands of Shark Bay, a World Heritage Site located at Australia’s most westerly point, cover an area of more than 2.2m hectares with some of the most remarkable natural features on the planet. Shark Bay is in fact two bays on either side of Peron Peninsula near Dirk Hartog Island, where red sandhills contrast with sandy beaches, white dunes and dramatic cliffs. Its diverse land and seascapes are home to many marine species, wildlife and flora that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Author: Steven Stanley Manolakis is a photographer based in Sydney. His images of Australian landscapes photographed from above provide a unique view of what lies surrounding us.

Captured from a meta-level perspective, his work inspires reflection on the complexity of systems and individual disposition. He addresses the lack of nuance in contemporary thought processes through the comprehensive topography of Australian landscapes. Each image encourages the viewer to appreciate the complexity of the landscape, from general outline to intricate detail, before arriving at a deeper understanding of systems and individual placement within. Lastly, he guides the viewer from complexity to simplicity, providing structure to chaos by focusing on composition, form and design. Upon departure, one is left with feelings of hope, meaning, and a secure state of being.

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