Charlie Bowness

Charlie Bowness - When The Wild Feels Soft

Project overview

My project, Where the Wild Feels Soft, explores themes of intimacy, personality, and physical detail through close observation of horses. Through careful composition and framing, I capture features and behaviours that reveal each horse's individuality and character beyond being seen as "just a horse."

A close‑up black‑and‑white portrait of a horse shows its head tilted upward with its mouth slightly open, highlighting the contours and texture of the animal against a plain background.

A horse lies on a grassy field, its long mane and patterned coat shown in black and white, with the texture of the fur and grass clearly visible.

Personal Connection

The project is inspired by my personal relationship with horses and the years I have spent working with them. When I first began, I was intimidated by their size and power, but over time I developed a deeper understanding of their behaviour, personalities, and emotional presence. This change in perspective became the foundation of my work.

A close‑up view of a horse’s head shows its ears, forelock, and one eye. The fur appears wet or matted, with a curly forelock and a small white patch on the forehead, set against a plain light background that makes the hair texture clearly visible.

A close‑up black‑and‑white image of a horse’s face, showing the left eye, surrounding fur, and eyelashes. The texture of the hair and skin is clearly visible, with a blurred light background.

Focus and Intent

Rather than presenting horses in a traditional equestrian context, I focus on subtle gestures and details that reveal their character, emotion, and humour, encouraging viewers to see them as unique individuals.