It’s a Wonderful World – A Dual Exhibition Experience with David Yarrow in Zurich
On 6 November 2024, Zurich was host to a unique and immersive event celebrating one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary photography. The two-part exhibition, It’s a Wonderful World, took place at the elegant Villa Bührle and the centrally located Petra Gut Contemporary. This ambitious presentation showcased the full creative range of the celebrated photographer David Yarrow, offering a sweeping visual journey across landscapes, species, and carefully staged cinematic scenes.
From striking wildlife portraits to richly layered narrative compositions featuring some of the world’s most recognisable faces, the show offered visitors an expansive overview of an artist whose career continues to evolve with purpose and impact.
From Sports Photography to Global Recognition
Long before he became known for his wildlife imagery and complex storytelling scenes, Yarrow had already made his mark with a single photograph. In 1986, at just 20 years old, he captured an iconic image of Diego Maradona being lifted in victory after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup. The photograph, shot from inside the crowd, captured the joy of an era-defining moment in sport. It also hinted at what would become his signature approach—immersing himself in the scene to tell the story from within.
After a detour into the world of finance, Yarrow returned to photography with renewed focus, this time determined to build a body of work that would stand the test of time. His commitment to craft and scale has led him to develop a style rooted in both emotional impact and technical excellence.
Wild Encounters and Composed Realities
Over the past two decades, Yarrow has travelled extensively, often to remote and extreme environments. He has photographed orangutans in Borneo, wolves in the American West, and bison in Yellowstone, working in difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. His wildlife photographs are intimate yet majestic—marked by clarity, composition, and an insistence on emotional engagement.
At the same time, he has developed a parallel practice based on elaborate staging and storytelling. These images draw from cinema, fashion, and popular culture, often created in collaboration with well-known figures. His partnerships include work with Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, and Alessandra Ambrosio—all of whom bring their presence and persona to carefully orchestrated scenes in locations ranging from Route 66 to the Amalfi Coast.
📷 Maradona, 2021 – Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition
📷 Bad Asses, 2024 – Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition
What Makes This Series Special?
It’s a Wonderful World is a celebration of contrast and cohesion. The exhibition invites viewers to engage with multiple visual languages—raw documentary photography and staged fictional tableaux—yet it all feels part of a unified world. Each photograph is more than an image; it is a moment constructed to be remembered, pondered, and revisited.
Yarrow’s use of black-and-white imagery contributes to this timeless effect. In a digital age dominated by colour and immediacy, his monochrome prints insist on mood, tone, and attention to detail. His images slow the viewer down, asking them to read not just what they see but what the scene suggests.
📷 Locked and Loaded, 2024 – Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition
A Deep Respect for Nature
While Yarrow is known for his dramatic style, his commitment to nature is anything but performative. He works with conservation groups, wildlife researchers, and local communities to ensure that his shoots are ethical, respectful, and aligned with long-term protection efforts.
He often speaks about the privilege of witnessing Earth’s beauty first-hand—and the responsibility of using his platform to advocate for its preservation. His photograph of a lion staring down the lens is as much a celebration of the animal’s power as it is a reminder of what is at stake.
“Perhaps one day we will find life elsewhere, but I doubt it will be half as special as what we have on the planet we are lucky enough to call home.” — Yarrow
Since 2018, his work has raised more than $15 million for charitable causes, from environmental protection to children’s hospitals.
Technical Precision Meets Cinematic Scale
Every shoot requires extensive preparation. Locations are scouted months in advance, permits secured, teams assembled, props arranged, and safety protocols written. Whether photographing a Siberian tiger or staging a whiskey-fuelled encounter in a Wild West saloon, he combines the instincts of a photojournalist with the control of a film director.
In this way, Yarrow has developed a unique genre—somewhere between fine art photography, editorial fashion, and film. The works are printed at large scale, designed to draw viewers in from across a room. Their visual impact is immediate, but their narrative unfolds over time.
International Recognition
Yarrow’s images are now part of major private and public collections. He exhibits internationally and is represented by leading galleries in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Switzerland. His limited-edition prints are highly sought after by collectors, not just for their aesthetic quality, but for their rarity, print integrity, and long-term value.
The exhibition in Zurich offered the public a chance to view some of his most celebrated works in one setting—from early career highlights to new releases created in 2024.
📷 St. Tropez, 2024 – Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition
About the Artist
Born in Glasgow in 1966, Yarrow’s career began early and took him around the world before returning him to his true passion: photography. His signature style—bold, immersive, and cinematic—has cemented his reputation as one of today’s most distinctive visual storytellers.
He continues to travel, always in search of locations and narratives that challenge convention and spark imagination. Whether shooting wild animals or collaborating with celebrities, his work is driven by a desire to make viewers feel something real.
Discover more:
👉 Explore the full David Yarrow Collection at Petra Gut Contemporary
Exhibition Venues
Petra Gut Contemporary
Nüschelerstrasse 31, 8001 Zurich
🕒 Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00–18:00 or by appointment
Villa Bührle
Private residence, event-only access during November 2024
