Evoking Empathy through Animal Portraiture

Gresham College Lectures

The natural world faces unprecedented threats, challenging historical perceptions of nature as inexhaustible. Photographer Tim Flach draws on his acclaimed works, including Endangered, More Than Human, and Birds, to reveal how photography transcends traditional wildlife representation. By employing critical anthropomorphism and human portraiture techniques, Flach’s images foster empathy and kinship with animals. Collaborating with social scientists, he illustrates how visual storytelling evokes emotional responses and inspires conservation action, showcasing the profound intersection of art, science, and social awareness in the Anthropocene.

This lecture was recorded by Tim Flach on the 2nd of October 2025 at Barnards Inn Hall, London

Renowned photographer Tim Flach is known for his stylised animal portraits. He has dedicated his career to documenting biodiversity and conveying empathy for our planet’s endangered creatures. Driven by a desire to share stories of the natural world, he collaborates with scientists to research how imagery can better lead to pro-environmental outcomes.

He has seven main bodies of work which have been exhibited worldwide, including shows at the Museums of Natural History, from Paris to Beijing. He has six internationally award-winning books translated into multiple languages. His latest publication, Feline, is scheduled for release in Fall 2025.

Tim holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London (Norwich) and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. He is a Senior Research Fellow (Artist in Residence) at the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, and currently serves as President of the Association of Photographers.

The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/animal-portraiture

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