Laura Skehan

Tecnica: Photo

Anno: 2021

Dimensione: 60 x 90 cm

Descrizione: was captured during my first visit to
Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland—a striking volcanic black sand beach known for its powerful,
unpredictable waves. Tourists often underestimate its force, with the heavy, coarse sand and
surging Atlantic currents pulling unsuspecting visitors into the sea. The landscape is
extraordinary: the ocean's raw energy, framed by towering basalt formations, transforms the
beach into a kind of natural amphitheatre. My attention was drawn to the rock face—those
undulating basalt columns, reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway back home. I found myself
wondering what stories these rocks had borne witness to: the tragedies, both human and
more-than-human; the ever-shifting landscape; the stream of transient visitors arriving at
Iceland’s southern coast. What impact does that leave behind? The scene offered a quiet but
forceful reminder that both the sea and the earth demand respect.I spent a long time there in
the freezing air, observing how others moved through the space, how they responded to the
intensity of the environment—the charged encounters between humans, the ocean, and the
basalt. While the work documents the intricate textures and geological history of this place, I
also think of it as a portrait: the rock, ever still, quietly watching the drama unfold.