Property of The First World.
In the UK, zoos stand as paradoxes — spaces where nature is preserved, yet profoundly altered. This photographic series examines how wildlife is reimagined within the confines of enclosures, presented for education, entertainment, and conservation under a distinctly human gaze.
Through striking and often contradictory imagery, Property of the First World challenges viewers to consider the uneasy relationship between control and care. Does ownership signify stewardship, or does it strip nature of its autonomy? Can a caged animal ever be wild? Is a curated environment still natural? By capturing the beauty, artificiality, and ethical dilemmas within these controlled environments, this project invites reflection on how we define nature when it is framed, fenced, and for sale.